Harmful Habits: What Your Eye Doctor Wishes You'd Stop Doing
According to eye doctors, some behaviors can harm the eyes, including lying on one's side while playing with a phone, wearing contact lenses for extended periods, and sleeping with contact lenses on. These behaviors can lead to eye fatigue, decreased vision, and even increase the risk of eye diseases such as keratitis. For instance, lying on one's side while playing with a phone can put pressure on the eye, causing blood flow to slow down and increasing the risk of eye fatigue and vision problems.
18 February 2025
In daily life, several common behaviors may harm our eyes, such as rapidly turning eyes, prolonged use of electronic devices, and incorrect wearing of contact lenses. Rapidly turning eyes may produce retinal holes, leading to retinal detachment, a serious eye disease requiring immediate medical attention. Long-term use of electronic devices, especially screen devices like computers, phones, and tablets, may cause eye fatigue, and the radiation of blue light may damage the retina, increasing the risk of age-related macular degeneration.
To reduce the risk of eye problems, individuals should minimize screen time and follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look away from screens and focus on an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Incorrect wearing of contact lenses can also cause severe harm to the eyes, including eye infections and vision loss. Proper care and maintenance of contact lenses are essential, including regular replacement, correct cleaning and storage, and avoiding wearing contact lenses in unhygienic conditions.
Other behaviors, such as not wearing protective eyewear during activities that may cause eye splashes or particle impacts, can also harm the eyes. Wearing protective eyewear can effectively reduce the risk of eye injuries. Understanding these common harmful behaviors and taking preventive measures is crucial to protecting eye health.
To reduce eye strain, several habits can be adopted, such as practicing alternate eye movements, near and far vision exercises, and eye massage techniques. Choosing contact lenses from reputable manufacturers and wearing them scientifically can also minimize eye damage. Maintaining a healthy diet, with a balanced intake of nutrients, can help promote eye health. Regular eye check-ups are also crucial, especially for children, to detect any potential vision problems early on.
Limiting electronic device usage to less than 1 hour a day, following good reading habits, engaging in outdoor activities for at least 2 hours a day, and wearing protective eyewear or face masks when playing in the snow can all help reduce the risk of eye problems. A healthy and balanced diet can also help reduce the risk of eye problems, such as eyelid inflammation and corneal ulcers.
Preventing myopia requires adjusting eye habits, conducting eye care exercises, and reducing electronic device usage. By avoiding prolonged focus on electronic screens, maintaining proper reading distances and postures, and getting sufficient rest, individuals can reduce the risk of eye fatigue and myopia. Establishing good eye habits and regular eye check-ups, especially for children and teenagers, are also essential measures to prevent myopia. By adopting these preventive measures, individuals can protect their eye health and prevent myopia and other eye diseases.
