You Have to Read This If You Love Your Eyes
11 Things I’ll Never Do To My Eyes As A Medical Student. The Common Practices That Are Harmful To The Eyes That You Should Avoid.
Hi readers, like precious gems, our eyes need tender care to preserve their brilliance. We should not overlook the importance of taking care of our eyes, as they are the portals through which we perceive the world, connecting us to the beauty that surrounds us.
But, In this modern world, our eyes face unique challenges and strains, that affect our eyes in ways we may not have experienced in the past, so, we have to make conscious efforts to protect our eyes.
Let us remember that by caring for our eyes today, we secure a brighter and clearer vision for the future, enabling us to continue embracing the world’s beauty with gratitude.
I’m a final-year medical student, and I have studied ophthalmology in detail and encountered loads of patients suffering from various eye conditions.
From my experience, I’ll tell you a few common practices that are harmful to the eyes, that you should avoid.
As the saying goes:
“Better Safe Than Sorry”
1- Rubbing The Eyes:
The most common habit that is harmful to your eyes is the rubbing of the eyes. It’s ok to rub the eyes gently if something is stuck in the eyes, but the habitual rubbing of the eyes is really damaging your eyes in the long run.
The cornea, the eye’s clear front surface, is delicate and susceptible to damage. Rubbing your eyes forcefully can cause scratches on the cornea called corneal abrasions.
Also rubbing your eyes with dirty hands, increases the risk of introducing harmful bacteria into your eyes, causing infections like conjunctivitis or styes.
Rubbing can also temporarily increase the pressure inside your eyes, which can damage the optic nerve and can lead to blindness. This can be particularly problematic for individuals with conditions like glaucoma, with increased pressure within the eyes.
To protect your eye health, it’s advisable to avoid rubbing your eyes and seek professional advice if you experience any concerning symptoms.
2- Wearing False Lashes:
Long eyelashes are considered a sign of beauty. People have been using various methods to make their lashes more attractive and noticeable. But beauty comes at the cost of their health and well-being, that’s why I am not a big fan of wearing false lashes.
The glue used to attach false lashes can contain chemicals that may cause irritation or allergic reactions in some people.
The repeated application and removal of false lashes can also cause damage to your natural lashes. If false lashes are not applied carefully or removed improperly, there is a risk of trauma to your eye.
Moreover, Accidental falling of lash glue into the eyes while application of false lashes has also been reported such as in the following case:
Woman left blind after glue from false eyelashes fell into her eye at the beauty salon.
3- Sleeping While Wearing Contact Lenses:
I personally don’t prefer wearing contact lenses at all, and in the future also I don’t see myself doing this. It is totally your personal preference if want to wear them, through my article I just want to convey that you should have to be very vigilant and mindful in its usage. In my clinical practice, I have seen a lot of people suffering due to negligence in its usage.
Contact lenses act as a barrier between the cornea and the environment restricting the amount of oxygen that reaches the cornea. Insufficient oxygen supply can lead to damage to the cornea.
Sleeping while wearing contact lenses also increases the chances of corneal abrasions or scratches which can be really painful. It also provides a conducive environment for the bacteria to grow, leading to various complications.
While sleeping the lenses can be misaligned or dislodged on the eye. This can result in blurry vision and discomfort.
So, avoid wearing contact lenses while sleeping.
4- Washing Contact Lenses with Tap Water:
Some people clean their contact lenses with tap water, due to the lack of knowledge. Tap water contains numerous microorganisms. They can adhere to contact lenses and potentially cause eye infections. Acanthamoeba, a type of parasite in tap water can cause a serious eye condition called acanthamoeba keratitis.
Tap water contains chlorine and other various chemicals which can irritate the eyes and can also damage the structure of contact lenses over time, leading to eye problems.
That’s why, Contact lenses need to be properly cleaned using appropriate contact lens solutions recommended by eye care professionals.
5- Staring at The Sun:
Directly looking at the sun can cause solar retinopathy, which is damage to the retina — the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. The intense light from the sun can overwhelm the retina, leading to permanent blindness.
Staring into the Sun could cause massive damage, as found out after a solar eclipse.
It can also lead to photokeratitis, also known as sunburn of the eye. It is a painful condition characterized by inflammation of the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye.
To protect your eyes from sun-related damage, it is crucial to never stare directly at the sun, especially during solar events like eclipses. Wear sunglasses that provide 100% UV protection when outdoors.
6- Using Contact Lenses Beyond the Recommended Duration:
Even with proper cleaning, the deposits can build up on the lens surface, increasing the risk of eye infections.
Contact lenses also develop scratches, tears, or surface irregularities with time that can affect vision and cause discomfort.
Moreover, the lens material becomes less permeable to oxygen with time this insufficient oxygen supply can lead to damage to the cornea.
Our eyes and vision can change over time, so contact lens prescription may need adjustments. So, it is important to follow the specific guidelines provided by your eye care professional regarding the recommended duration for wearing and replacing your contact lenses.
7-Use of Vasoconstrictive Eyedrops:
Use of vasoconstrictive eye drop for temporary relief of minor eye redness, and itching is very common.
Vasoconstrictor like Tetrahydrozoline works by narrowing swollen blood vessels in the eyes to reduce eye redness. However, with prolonged usage blood vessels can become dependent on the drops, leading to rebound redness. This means that when you stop using them, your eyes may become even redder than before.
In addition, these eye drops can temporarily mask symptoms of underlying eye conditions such as dry eyes, allergies, or infections. Suppressing symptoms without addressing the root cause can lead to potential complications.
It’s important to note that short-term use of similar eye drops, as directed by a healthcare professional, is generally safe for most individuals. However, if you are experiencing persistent or worsening eye symptoms, it is recommended to consult with an eye care professional for a proper evaluation.
8- Bungee Jumping:
I will not do bungee jumping ever in my life because the body experiences rapid changes in pressure as it accelerates downward and then rebounds upward during the bungee jump. These abrupt pressure changes can cause the delicate blood vessels in the eyes to rupture causing bleeding, and leading to redness of the eyes, as depicted in the image given below:
There is a possibility of sudden stops or jerking movements during the bungee jump, which could potentially cause impact injuries. This can cause corneal abrasions, retinal detachment, or eye socket fractures.
In addition, high-speed winds can cause foreign objects such as dust, or small particles to enter the eyes, leading to eye irritation or even trauma to the eyes.
To minimize the risk of eye damage during bungee jumping or any high-impact activity, it is advisable to wear protective eyewear, such as goggles or sports glasses, to shield the eyes from potential trauma and foreign objects.
9- Trying Someone Else’s Prescription Glasses:
Some people may choose to wear someone else’s prescription glasses for fun or as a fashion statement without realizing the potential risks involved.
Wearing glasses with an incorrect prescription can put extra strain on your eyes as they try to adapt to the altered visual input. This can lead to headaches, eye fatigue, discomfort, and decreased visual acuity and can also compromise your depth perception and peripheral vision.
So next time avoid wearing someone else’s glasses for fun or as a joke, as it can have potentially negative effects on your vision and eye health, and only use glasses that are prescribed for you by a qualified eye care professional.
10- Ignoring Sudden Eye Symptoms:
Never ignore sudden eye symptoms such as pain, redness, itching, blurred vision, or flashers and floaters as they could be indicative of underlying eye conditions.
Many eye conditions, such as glaucoma, cataracts, or macular degeneration, may initially present with subtle symptoms, which can worsen if left untreated. Ignoring these symptoms and not seeking timely medical attention can delay diagnosis and appropriate treatment, or sometimes it may lead to irreversible vision loss.
If you experience sudden or persistent eye symptoms, it is recommended to consult with an eye care professional. They can determine the underlying cause of your symptoms and provide appropriate treatment or management strategies to protect your eye health and vision.
11- Skipping Routine Eye Examination:
I can’t emphasize enough the importance of routine eye examinations. Without regular check-ups, underlying eye conditions such as refractive errors (e.g., nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism), glaucoma, cataracts, or macular degeneration may go undiagnosed.
Many eye diseases, such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, often develop gradually and without noticeable symptoms in the early stages. Delaying or missing these examinations may result in a delayed diagnosis and an increased risk of irreversible blindness
Our eyes provide valuable insights into a person’s overall health.
During routine eye examinations, eye care professionals may identify signs and symptoms of systemic health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and other autoimmune diseases.
So, one should never skip routine eye examinations especially the people in extreme age groups(children and elderly).
I appreciate your Attention. Your suggestions or feedback related to it are more than welcome in the comment section.
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