Eye health is often a topic that none of us think about. That is, until we have an eye problem. At Berkeley Eye Center, our dedicated doctors focus on total eye care needs, from everyday good vision to long-term overall eye health.
To help you keep your eyes healthy and maintain that health for years to come, we offer these tips on the 6 best things you can do to help your eyes.
1. Don’t Ignore Symptoms
There’s never a convenient time to have a health issue. Trips to the doctor are disruptions to our already busy lives, and many of us reserve them for only the most dire medical needs. Minor illnesses, aches and pains are pushed aside, and we forge ahead just trying to grin and bear it.
When it comes to your eyes, one of the worst things you can do is ignore symptoms, even if they seem mild. Pain, blurry vision, light sensitivity, flashing lights, redness or other eye symptoms should not be ignored in hopes that they’ll go away. While they may turn out to be minor issues, some initial symptoms can be signs of serious problems, and delays in a diagnosis can lead to long-term vision problems and costly treatments.
2. Stop Smoking
Smoking is bad for you. We all know it. However, the impact of smoking on eye health isn’t among the commonly discussed consequences. Cataracts, macular degeneration and other eye diseases are a higher risk for smokers. Smoking inhibits your body’s ability to get the right nutrition and oxygenation to all its organs and tissues — this includes your eyes.
3. Throw Out Old Makeup
Wearing old makeup exposes your eyes to an increased risk of infection-causing bacteria. All cosmetics, not just eye makeup, should be thrown away after three months. And while we’re talking about healthy makeup use — don’t forget to remove it before bed. Sleeping in eye makeup can lead to the tiny hair follicles and oil glands in your eyelids to become clogged, allowing bacteria to build up and cause inflammation.
4. Good Contact Lens Care
Contact lens hygiene is key to not only your continued eye health but also to having the optimal vision we all desire. Good contact lens care includes the following practices:
- Use fresh lens solution daily.
- Do not wear contacts in the shower, pool, hot tubs, lakes or the ocean.
- Do not put lenses in mouth.
- Do not rinse lenses with tap water (or anything other than contact lens solution).
- Get a proper lens fitting every year.
5. Wear Sunglasses
Sunglasses aren’t just for looking cool. UV light exposure causes damage to the retina and can increase the risk of developing cataracts. It increases the risk of eyelid skin cancer and can lead to sunburned corneas. How do we fix this? Pick up a pair of sunglasses that block a minimum 99% of all UV light and wear them anytime you are outdoors.
6. Have Regular Eye Exams
Whether you have 20/20 vision or wear glasses, are in good health or poor, are 5 years old or 50, everyone should have an eye exam every year. These checkups aren’t just about evaluating your vision. Your doctor will look at your eye health and can often catch eye conditions early, making treatment and recovery a much easier process.
Whether you are considering Houston LASIK or just need an annual exam, Berkeley Eye Center offers comprehensive eye care for the whole family. Click here or call 713-526-1600 today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced Houston optometrists.