We rarely think about our eyes when we rub an eyelid, finish an email, or fall asleep while watching a movie. Yet certain repeated actions can cause eye discomfort or increase the risk of infection. Here are five to watch out for—and replace with better habits.
1. Rubbing your eyes as soon as they start to itch
When your eyes itch, the reflex is immediate. But rubbing them can worsen the irritation, especially if your hands aren’t clean. If the itching recurs often, it’s best to consult an eye care professional to determine the cause.
2. Spending hours in front of a screen without a break
Staring at a screen for a long time can leave your eyes dry or tired. Remember to blink and look away regularly. The 20-20-20 rule is easy to remember: every 20 minutes, look at something about 20 feet (6 meters) away for 20 seconds.
3. Handling contact lenses carelessly
Touching your lenses without washing and drying your hands first, reusing old solution, or wearing them to sleep can increase the risk of infection. Take the time to follow the care and replacement instructions provided by your eye care professional. Also, remove your lenses before swimming or showering.
4. Forgetting your sunglasses during everyday outings
We remember to bring them to the beach, but less often for a walk or a break outdoors. Keep a pair on hand that blocks 99 to 100% of UVA and UVB rays, even when the sky is cloudy.
5. Putting off a vision check
Do you squint to read a sign? Are you holding your phone farther and farther away? A change that seems minor might be the right time to have your vision checked. And if your vision suddenly deteriorates, get it evaluated right away.
Taking care of your eyes often starts with small steps. The good news is that sometimes all it takes is changing one habit at a time to better protect them every day.
The IRIS team can help you assess your visual comfort and eye health.
