When you think about your eyes and how much they provide to you and your life, it is easy to see why this is one of the most important bodily features you have. The fear of losing your sight or going blind is enough to make even the most careless person a little more cautious about taking care of their vision. Unfortunately, you may be doing things that are harming your eyes without even knowing that you are doing so. To protect your eyesight, there are certain things that you should stop doing right away.

1. Constant Screen Focusing

Do you remember someone telling you that you should not sit so close to the television when you were a kid because it could hurt your eyes? Even though this expression was really just a myth, constant focus on an electronic screen can cause what is referred to as computer vision syndrome. Staring too long at your phone, tablet, computer, or even television can cause you to have excessively dry eyes because you do not blink as often as you normally would. Dry eyes can lead to issues with your vision later on, so make sure you keep a close watch on your eyes and how they feel during prolonged screen time.

2. Smoking Cigarettes

There is no doubt that any doctor will give you a list of reasons why smoking is bad for your health, but what you may not know is that it can also be really bad for your vision. Studies have shown that if you smoke, you are at a higher risk for eye diseases that may lead to blindness, such as macular degeneration or cataracts.

3. Leaving the Sunglasses at Home

How many times have you left your house without sunglasses in spite of the fact that the sun was brightly shining? When you are in the bright light, your eyes react with burning and blinking to try to protect your vision. This is because your eyes are extremely sensitive to the ultra-violet rays that are sent down. Studies associated with the effects of UV rays have shown that your vision may be at risk of eye disease when exposed to sunlight. Keep this in mind every time you head out the door without some form of protection.  

You may get your regular eye exam and you may try to wear goggles when you are in the way of flying debris, but there are many other things you may be doing that could cause problems with your vision. It is always best to ask your optometrist at Forest Hills Retina Center about ways you can protect your eyesight in the long term during your retinal exam.