Your eyes are delicate and constantly at work, yet many everyday habits can unknowingly contribute to long-term damage to our vision. Here are 10 everyday habits that might be harming your eyes without you even realizing it:
- Rubbing your eyes – This can damage the delicate tissues around the eyes and increase the risk of keratoconus in susceptible people. It also spreads germs, raising the chance of infections like conjunctivitis.
Better habit: Use a clean tissue or wash your face if your eyes are irritated.
- Staring at screens for too long – Spending hours on phones, computers, or tablets without breaks can cause digital eye strain. Symptoms include dryness, blurred vision, headaches, and eye fatigue.
Better habit: Follow the 20-20-20 rule — every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
- Sleeping in contact lenses – Wearing contacts overnight (unless specifically approved) can cut off oxygen to your corneas and increase the risk of corneal ulcer.
Better habit: Always remove and clean contacts before bed.
- Skipping sunglasses – Not wearing sunglasses exposes your eyes to harmful UV rays, increasing the risk of cataract and macular degeneration over time.
Better habit: Wear sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays, even on cloudy days.
- Ignoring dryness or irritation – Eye dryness can lead to chronic discomfort or damage to the corneal surface if left untreated. It may be linked to dry eye syndrome.
Better habit: Use preservative-free artificial tears and blink more often, especially when using screens. If persists, see your eye care practitioner.
- Not removing makeup properly – Sleeping in eye makeup can block oil glands, causing irritation or infection.
Better habit: Gently remove makeup each night with a clean cloth or wipes designed for the eye area.
- Using expired eye makeup – Old makeup can harbor bacteria, leading to eye infections.
Better habit: Replace mascara every 3 months and avoid sharing makeup to reduce the risk of contamination.
- Poor Contact Lens Hygiene – Not cleaning your contact lenses properly or using tap water to rinse them can lead to infections.
Better habit: Always follow your eye doctor’s care instructions, use fresh solution, and wash your hands before handling lenses.
- Reading in Poor Lighting – Though it won’t permanently damage your eyes, reading in dim light can cause eye strain and discomfort.
Better habit: Read or do close up work with adequate lighting.
- Skipping regular eye exams – Some serious eye diseases, like glaucoma, can develop without noticeable symptoms.
Better habit: Get a comprehensive eye exam every 1–2 years (or as recommended by your eye doctor).
Taking care of your eyes is just as important as caring for the rest of your body. Breaking bad habits and staying on top of regular eye exams can help keep your vision strong for years. If you have any concerns about your eye health, consult your eye care professional for advice.