Many people believe that life has no purpose without doing things that you love. Among these beloved things are those that add excitement or satisfaction to their lives. However, not all fun and enjoyable things are good for the eyes. There are some that cause irritation and fatigue, while some lifestyle habits, increase the risk of developing certain eye conditions. This is why it is important to see an eye specialist in Arizona every once in a while for professional advice and check-up.
Meanwhile, here are some lifestyle habits that most people are prone to doing and an explanation as to what makes them harmful to the eyes.
Habit No. 1: DVD Marathons Every Weekend
It sure is fun to watch the whole ten seasons of your family’s favorite TV series on DVD, but watching them for five or six hours straight (or even more) can be quite a challenge for your eyes. Imagine being glued to the screen from breakfast to dinner, only getting up to go to the bathroom or getting more food and water. This kind of lifestyle can cause your eyes to suffer from eye strain and can lead to future eye problems. Although it is perfectly understandable to make the most of your time at home, make sure you are giving your eyes a well deserved break every two hours. Take a power nap or go outside for a few minutes.
Habit No. 2: Smoking Cigarettes
The smoke that comes out of the cigarettes comes in direct contact with your eyes. Its nicotine content tenses the muscles of your face and subsequently stops the nourishment of the eyes. The chemicals found in cigarettes can also harm the macula, which can lead to vision loss. Similarly, the high pressure that smoke causes makes your eye muscles weaker every time you smoke.
One more thing, smoking puts you at a higher risk for developing cataracts. If you want to spare your eyes from any future harm, quit smoking, or at least try limit the number of times you smoke in a day.
Habit No. 3: Reading in Dim Light
Although reading with inadequate lighting will not necessarily damage your eyes, it can give you short-term eye fatigue because you are making it difficult for your eyes to focus on whatever it is you’re reading. You may also experience short-term dry eyes because there is a tendency to blink less when reading.
Habit No. 4: Exposing Yourself to UV Rays
Whether you’re going outside for a walk, swimming, or sun-bathing, it is important to protect your skin from the sun’s UV rays because they can cause skin cancer. However, that is not the only reason to protect your body from the heat, UV rays can also hurt your eyes, particularly your DNA, which can cause cell damages in the eyes.
Habit No. 5: Not Getting Enough Sleep
Lack of sleep can cause blurry vision. You have to see to it that you get adequate hours of sleep, or you risk damaging your eyes if you continue to do it all the time. If you use the computer or play video games for extended periods of time and are not resting to sleep, you are doubling your chances of developing eye problems.
Habit No. 6: Excessive Alcohol Drinking
If you continue to drink alcohol, you are increasing your risk to developing cataracts. If you cannot completely avoid drinking alcoholic beverages, then you should strongly consider limiting your alcohol intake.
It is crucial to be aware of the behaviors and practices that are beneficial to the eyes so you can continue to practice them. However, bad habits should be unlearned and forgotten. If you’re unsure about which habits you should abandon, just can a trusted eye specialist in Arizona for an appointment.