Introduction
Bad habits can have a serious impact on your health, and that includes your vision. According to experts, certain bad habits can lead to vision loss and even blindness. Eating the wrong foods, not getting enough sleep, and smoking are just a few of the habits that can have a negative effect on your eyesight. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the risk of vision loss by making healthier lifestyle choices. Eating the right foods, getting enough sleep, and quitting smoking are just a few of the steps you can take to protect your vision. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the bad habits that could turn you blind, according to experts, and provide tips on how to eat this, not that, to help keep your eyes healthy.
Bad Habits That Could Turn You Blind, Say Experts — Eat This Not That
It’s no secret that bad habits can have a negative impact on your health, but did you know that some of them could even lead to blindness? According to experts, there are certain habits that can increase your risk of developing vision problems, so it’s important to be aware of them and take steps to avoid them.
Smoking
Smoking is one of the worst habits you can have when it comes to your vision. Studies have shown that smoking can increase your risk of developing age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and other vision problems. If you smoke, it’s important to quit as soon as possible to reduce your risk of developing these conditions.
Not Wearing Sunglasses
Not wearing sunglasses when you’re out in the sun can also increase your risk of developing vision problems. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage your eyes, leading to cataracts, macular degeneration, and other vision issues. To protect your eyes, make sure to wear sunglasses that offer 100% UV protection whenever you’re outside.
Not Eating a Healthy Diet
Eating a healthy diet is important for your overall health, but it’s also important for your vision. Eating a diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, and other nutrient-dense foods can help protect your eyes from damage and reduce your risk of developing vision problems. Make sure to include plenty of leafy greens, fatty fish, and other healthy foods in your diet.
Not Getting Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep is essential for your overall health, and it’s also important for your vision. Not getting enough sleep can lead to dry eyes, blurred vision, and other vision problems. Make sure to get at least seven to eight hours of sleep each night to keep your eyes healthy.
Not Seeing an Eye Doctor Regularly
Finally, it’s important to see an eye doctor regularly to make sure your vision is healthy. An eye doctor can detect any vision problems early on and provide treatment to help prevent them from getting worse. Make sure to schedule regular eye exams to keep your vision in top shape.
By avoiding these bad habits, you can help protect your vision and reduce your risk of developing vision problems. Remember to eat a healthy diet, wear sunglasses, get enough sleep, and see an eye doctor regularly to keep your eyes healthy.
Eye health tends to be one of those things we don’t think too much about unless something goes wrong. But experts say it’s possible, and important, to be proactive about practicing good habits to maintain healthy vision. Conversely, there are things you may be doing every day that can compromise your eye health, potentially even leading to blindness. These are bad habits experts say could turn you blind. Read on to find out more—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
“Smoke in the air is a direct irritant of the eyes,” says Dr. Howard R. Krauss, surgical neuro-ophthalmologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California. “Cigarette smoking and/or second-hand smoke have been incriminated in early and more rapidly progressive cataracts, and an increased risk of vascular disease which may lead to blinding circulatory changes within the retina or optic nerve. Additionally, cigarette smokers also suffer a more rapidly progressive, potentially blinding form of macular degeneration.”
Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in adults age 18 to 64. “Anyone with diabetes or at risk of diabetes is also at risk for diabetes-related eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and macular edema, as well as glaucoma and cataracts,” says Dr. Timothy Murray, a retina specialist in Miami. If you have diabetes, protect your vision by keeping it controlled, eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and seeing an eye doctor regularly. “One simple and effective habit that can help detect potential vision problems early is scheduling annual dilated eye exams,” says Murray. “Early detection, timely treatment, and appropriate follow-up care can reduce a person’s risk for severe vision loss from diabetic eye disease by 95%.”
Rubbing your eye puts you at risk for developing keratoconus, a condition in which the cornea progressively weakens and changes shape over time. “This creates blurriness and distortions in your vision and in severe cases can require a cornea transplant to correct,” says Dr. Barrett Eubanks, a California-based ophthalmologist. “Instead of rubbing the eye, it’s better to treat the reason you are rubbing, such as irritation or itchiness, with artificial tears or allergy eye drops.”
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“When working within the yard or around the house, you can encounter sudden projectiles coming toward your eyes,” says Eubanks. “These can be traveling too quick to respond and can injure the eye, causing blindness.” Always wear safety goggles whenever there’s a chance something could fly into your eye.
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“As a professor once taught me, think of sunglasses like sunscreen for the eyes,” says Dr. Benjamin Bert, ophthalmologist at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California. “UV radiation can cause damage to many parts of the eye, including causing a sunburn-type event on the surface or even damaging structures inside of our eye. UV damage to the crystalline lens inside of our eye can lead to early cataract formation,” To avoid damage, regularly wear sunglasses that are 100% ultraviolet light blocking, including both UVA and UVB rays.
“Sunglasses do not have to be expensive to be UV blocking,” says Bert. “But, if you have any concerns about the UV blocking in your sunglasses, you can have them read using an UV meter available at most optical shops.”
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“When the solar eclipse happened, there were a number of people who gazed directly at the event and not through the recommended filter,” says Bert. “The amount of energy delivered by the sun, even through the appropriate sunglasses, can create so much heat in the eye that it can cause a burn in the retina, known as solar retinopathy. The burn can be permanent.” And to protect your life and the lives of others, don’t visit any of these 35 Places You’re Most Likely to Catch COVID.