Poor eyesight is caused by various factors, ranging from genetics to environment. Sometimes, though, the culprit behind vision problems are your own habits.
Rubbing Your Eyes Often
It’s a common habit that seems harmless. However, rubbing your eyes frequently can lead to eye infections, allergic conjunctivitis or keratoconus (the thinning and reshaping of the cornea from round to cone). If you have preexisting eye conditions like glaucoma and myopia, this habit could worsen them as well.
Staring at Computers and Smartphones for Long Periods
Too much screen time is definitely not good for your eyes. However, with work mostly done on computers nowadays, reducing the amount of time you spend in front of a screen may be something that’s difficult to avoid completely. That said, the best that you can do is to let your eyes take a break. Commonly referred to as the 20-20-20 rule, this technique requires you to look away from your computer every 20 minutes and keep your eyes focused on an object that’s about 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Not Getting Regular Eye Exams
Regularly visiting an eye care specialist enables you to know if you have vision problems or if you’re at high risk for a particular eye disease. This is crucial because some vision problems don’t come with warning signs so you’ll need the expertise of an eye doctor.
Overusing Eye Drops
While it’s okay to use eye drops for easing dry eyes, using them too often can lead to eye irritation. Keep in mind that eye drops do not actually improve your eye health. They are basically meant for reducing eye redness.
Every optometrist at Advanced Eyecare Consultants is experienced in various types of eye care services. We provide eye exams, eye disease treatments and eyeglasses and contacts. Call our Lake Zurich office at (847) 438-7700 or our Libertyville office at (847) 680-8484. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation. We serve clients in Gurnee and Vernon Hills, IL.
