Are you taking care of your eyes the right way? Believe it or not, there are a lot of common eye care mistakes that people make every day. That's why our team at Visions Optique in Scottsdale put together this list of tips to help you take better care of your eyes! Keep reading to learn more so that you can avoid these common eye care mistakes.
4 Eye Care Mistakes You’re Making
1. Not Wearing Sunglasses
It's crucial to wear sunglasses any time you are outside, especially during the summertime. The sun's UV rays can damage your eyes and cause eye problems down the road if you don't protect them. Make sure to choose sunglasses that have both UVA and UVB protection for the best eye care. Choosing prescription sunglasses is also a good idea if you wear glasses or contacts already.
2. Not Taking Eye Breaks
If you work at a computer all day and then spend the evening watching TV, you're not giving your eyes a chance to rest. Make sure to take eye breaks for every 20 minutes of screen time by looking away from your screen and focusing on something in the distance for at least 20 seconds. On top of that, every hour or two, be sure to get up, move a bit, and take a longer eye break of a few minutes. Additionally, try to limit your screen time overall if you can. Doing so, on top of taking your designated eye breaks, will help keep your eyes healthy, reduce eye fatigue, and prevent headaches.
3. Not Taking Care of Your Eyewear
Whether you wear glasses, contacts, or both, it's important to take care of them properly. Make sure to clean your glasses regularly with a soft cloth and eye cleaner, avoiding any harsh chemicals or cleaners. Also, be sure to store your glasses in a safe place when you're not wearing them so that they don't get damaged or bent. If you wear contacts, clean them and your hands properly before putting them in and replace them as directed by your eye doctor. Wearing contacts for too long can increase your risk of eye infections, and wearing your contacts overnight can also be dangerous.
4. Not Getting Regular Eye Exams
The best way to take care of your eyes is by getting regular eye exams. An eye exam can detect problems with your vision before they become worse, so it's important to schedule eye exams at least once a year. If you have any concerns about your eye health, don't hesitate to talk to your optometrist.
How Often Should You Get an Eye Exam?
You should get an eye exam at least once a year, but you may need to go more often, depending on your eye health and age. If you have eye problems or vision changes, be sure to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Or, if you have glaucoma, macular degeneration, and other eye diseases, your eye doctor may suggest more frequent visits. As for your age, eye exams are typically recommended for kids starting at six months old, then again at three years old, and every year after that. For adults, eye exams are typically recommended every one to two years until you turn 60, then eye exams should be scheduled annually.
What Happens If You Don't Take Care of Your Eyes Properly?
If you are consistently making these eye care mistakes, it could mean bad news for your eyes. Not wearing sunglasses, having consistent eye strain from computer use, not taking proper care of your glasses and contact lenses, and failing to have annual eye exams could cause eye problems down the road or make known problems worse.
About Our Eye Care Services
At Visions Optique, we offer a variety of eye care services, dedicated to helping the health of your eyes. We will evaluate your eyes and provide you with a treatment plan that is tailored specifically to your needs. Choose from our comprehensive eye exams, medical eye management, as well as fashionable and functional eyewear, all in one place. If you wear contact lenses or are interested in doing so, we also provide contact lens evaluations that will help you the perfect lens for your needs and comfort.
Don't let these common eye care mistakes ruin your vision — we hope that by following these tips, you can take better care of your eyes between exams! If it's time for your next eye exam, contact Visions Optique today to schedule an appointment.