Eye health hazards: THESE daily habits could be harming your sight, experts warn
BETWEEN cardiovascular and physical ailments it can be easy to forget about our eyes.
Staring at screens is detrimental for your eye health
While our eyes are a relatively resilient and protected part of our anatomy, difficulty with eyesight is too easily ignored or mistreated. Earlier this year, a report by Optegra Eye Health Care revealed although four in five adults worry about protecting their sight, nearly half (44 per cent) do not attend regular eye tests.
The same study also found almost half of GPs feel less confident dealing with eye conditions, yet more than a quarter (26 per cent) of Brits turn to their GP over an optician to treat an eye problem.
Consulting a specialist is important if you have eye health concerns, but some common habits could be harming your eyesight every day, warns Optician Francesca Marchetti.
Below, the expert shares the most dangerous daily habits for hampering healthy eyes.
Blinking is important to keep the eye moist, if it is not moist it will be less comfortable, will lead to redness an the vision will become blurred
The screening process
In our technology-driven society we spend an enormous amount of time staring at computer and smartphone screens, be it on emails or social media. This is often to the detriment of our eyes, explained Francesca. Speaking to Netdoctor.co.uk, she said: "It has led to ophthalmologists saying that we're facing an 'epidemic' of eye problems as a result of this intensive screen working.
"Anyone who is engaging with screens on a regular basis should ensure they have regular eye examinations, and contact wearers should follow good contact lens aftercare."
Ignoring the symptoms
While headaches can be caused by a number of health issues, if the problem is recurring it could be solved with a trip to the optometrist.
According to Francesca, those who work at a computer for long periods you may be suffering from digital eyestrain or computer vision syndrome (CVS).
She said: "Although you may feel your vision is fine and that you can see as normal. CVS is an uncomfortable collection of ocular and musculoskeletal symptoms."
Headaches could be solved with a trip to the optometrist
National Eye Health Week Web Video
Another commonly ignored problem is dry eyes, which is a major risk factor for digital eye strain.
Francesca said: "Blinking is important to keep the eye moist, if it is not moist it will be less comfortable, will lead to redness an the vision will become blurred.
Blinking helps to keep the eye moist
This is exasperated by the fact many office workers are in air-conditioned or centrally heated environments."
Eye drops, such as Biotrue Rewetting Drops, can help ensure the eyes stay lubricated.
Eye drops can help ensure the eyes stay lubricated
Lagging with lenses
Anyone who has been prescribed contact lenses should be familiar with the basic health and maintenance requirements.
Ensure you don't borrow other people's lenses or wear them for longer than the specified schedule.
Fracesca said: "It may seem obvious, but daily lenses should be thrown away every day and monthly and disposable lenses should be thrown away at the end of the month."
The expert also warned not to wear scratched lenses or sleep in them.