4 Everyday Activities that Put Your Vision at Risk!

A lot of individuals participate in routine tasks that can jeopardize their eyesight. For instance, people tend to use their mobile devices frequently throughout the day and even at night for both work and entertainment, often without shielding their eyes from excessive blue light.

While enjoying outdoor activities like hiking or spending a day at the beach, it is important to wear sunglasses to avoid potential vision problems in the future. Numerous other ordinary daily activities and behaviors can result in severe eye conditions such as cancer or blindness.

1. Overtime on Screens

A recent study reveals that people worldwide spend more time on electronic screens than ever, with an average daily usage of 6 hours and 42 minutes per person. The study also found that some individuals spend up to 10 hours a day online, with the Philippines having the highest daily screen time of about 10 hours.

Other countries that rank in the top five include Brazil, Thailand, and Colombia, all with 9 or more hours of daily screen time. In contrast, Japan has the lowest average daily screen time of 3 hours and 45 minutes per person.

Prolonged screen time can lead to digital eye strain, which includes symptoms such as eye dryness, irritation, blurred vision, neck and shoulder pain, headaches, and difficulty falling asleep.

It is advisable to limit the use of smartphones, e-readers, and tablets to reduce the likelihood and severity of digital eye strain. You should also avoid using screens before bedtime to promote better sleep.

Additionally, blue light glasses that block blue light, which can disrupt the sleep cycle and contribute to digital eye strain, are an option to cope with excessive screen time.

2. Constantly Rubbing Your Eyes

Consider refraining from rubbing your eyes, as it can have serious consequences, such as causing a scratched cornea or worsening any existing vision problems that you may have. Moreover, rubbing your eyes can transfer bacteria and germs from your hands to your eyes, which can cause conditions such as conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye.

This can occur when you touch a doorknob or a friend’s phone, and the bacteria gets transferred to the eyes by rubbing them. If you feel something is stuck in your eye, such as dust or an eyelash, avoid rubbing your eyes to remove it. Instead, use saline or water to rinse your eyes, as it is a safer approach to get rid of the debris.

3. Forgetting Wearing Sunglasses

Protecting your eyes from ultraviolet (UV) radiation when spending time under the sun is crucial. Wearing sunglasses is the best way to shield your eyes from intense sunlight and provide comfort.

Even brief exposure to the sun without protective eyewear can cause photokeratitis, a temporary but painful "sunburn of the eye." UV radiation can also cause long-term damage, such as cataracts and, in rare cases, eye cancer and cancers of the eyelids and the skin surrounding the eye.

When selecting sunglasses, choosing a pair that provides maximum protection from UV radiation, specifically 99% to 100% UV protection, is crucial. This applies to both prescription and non-prescription sunglasses. Look for this level of UV protection to ensure your eyes are adequately safeguarded from harmful radiation.

4. Not Getting Your Eyes Checked Regularly

Having regular eye exams is not something that needs to be done every day, but it is an important decision that can impact both the health of your vision and your overall well-being.

As you age, changes in vision can be influenced by underlying health conditions. Eye exams are critical since they can detect early signs of eye problems that you may not know of. Eye exams can address more significant concerns that are related to eye health.

Health professionals recommend getting your eyes examined every few years, especially as you get older or are at risk of developing eye conditions. This helps maintain the health and safety of your eyes and helps prevent long-term issues such as vision loss.

Conclusion

If you suffer from dry, itchy, or watery eyes and use eye drops excessively, it may put your vision at risk. This is because using these drops improperly or excessively can turn eye problems severe.

To keep your eyes and vision healthy, stop doing everything excessively. Stop rubbing your eyes if you wear prescription glasses, sunglasses, or lenses. Once you stop rubbing your eyes, most eye problems may vanish. Pay special attention to all the above points to keep your eyes safe.