Are you also one of those people who turn to over-the-counter eye drops when they feel some irritation? Or do you spend a lot of time in front of a screen without breathing? If your answer is yes then you are unknowingly damaging your eyesight.
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Dr. Chetan, MS, Consultant, Ophthalmology (PGI Chandigarh) and ASG Eye Hospital, Noida, in an Instagram post shared on October 10, highlighted 4 things everyone should know about protecting their eyes throughout life. He listed some everyday habits that we adopt without knowing how much harm they cause. Let’s know everything about them:
4 things to know about eye protection
Sharing the post, Dr Chetan stressed that as an ophthalmologist, he warns his patients every day against practices like digital strain, using eye drops without consulting doctors, avoiding sunglasses, etc. He wrote, “As an ophthalmologist, I explain these things every day. Here are 4 things you should know to protect your eyes for the rest of your life.”
1. Eye drops are not always the solution.
According to ophthalmologist, eye drops are not the solution to every problem of your eyes. Some diseases require consultation with a specialist.
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Jai Kelkar, Director, Ophthalmologist, NIO Super Specialty Hospital, warned, “Steroid or antibiotic eye drops without medical prescription or supervision can increase the risk of developing cataracts, glaucoma or even drug-resistant infections.” Learn more here.
2. Digital eye strain is real; Follow the 20-20-20 rule.
If you spend a lot of time in front of the screen due to your work or projects, it is important to take breaks in between to avoid digital stress. Dr. Chetan recommends following the 20-20-20 rule.
The 20-20-20 rule is one way to prevent eye strain from screen use: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This simple guideline helps relax the eye muscles, which can get tired from focusing on a digital device for long periods of time.
3. Sunglasses aren’t just for fashion; This is a necessity.
Ophthalmologists recommend wearing sunglasses to protect the eyes. According to the Nevada Cancer Coalition, wearing sunglasses protects against skin cancer and other eye-related health problems. The skin around the eyes is the thinnest and most delicate on the body, making it especially vulnerable to UV damage. Therefore wearing sunglasses prevents any kind of harm.
4. Sleeping in your contacts can cause blindness.
Finally, Dr. Chetan warned against sleeping wearing contact lenses as it can lead to blindness. Additionally, wearing contact lenses while sleeping increases the risk of eye infections, especially microbial keratitis. According to the Michigan Eye Institute, this can lead to vision loss and permanent scarring.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have about a medical condition.
This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.
