Some of your everyday habits might seem harmless. However, when it comes to your vision, those habits could cause an array of problems—ranging from eyestrain and blurred vision to ocular diseases like cataracts. To protect your vision and improve your eye care, it’s best to ditch these five bad habits.

What Habits Can Damage Your Eyes?

1. Excessive Screen Use

People spend more time than ever staring at screens. Whether it’s a computer at work, smartphone, or TV at night, staring at a screen too long can cause digital eyestrain, which can lead to headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes, and other problems. Take frequent breaks and remember to blink frequently.

2. Wearing Contacts to Bed

It’s tempting to wear contacts to bed rather than take them out each night, but unless you have lenses specifically designed for overnight wear, eye doctors advise against this. Sleeping in your contacts is likely to cause irritation and can even lead to an infection. For better eye care, follow your doctor’s and the manufacturer’s instructions for use.

3. Forgetting to Wear Sunglasses

Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays is one of the primary causes of ocular diseases like cataracts and macular degeneration, both of which can result in vision loss if left untreated. To protect your eyes, choose sunglasses with a sticker that states they offer 100% protection from UV rays. Opt for oversized shades that provide a larger area of protection from the top and sides.

4. Rubbing Your Eyes Frequently

Frequently rubbing your eyes can not only result in redness and pain, but it also increases your risk of infections, corneal abrasion, and burst blood vessels. If you have itchy eyes from allergies, ask your optometrist for drops to alleviate the symptoms. If you do need to rub your eyes, do so with clean hands whenever possible.

5. Skipping Your Annual Eye Exam

Although some people with good vision and low risks of ocular diseases only need an exam every two years, most people benefit from seeing their eye doctor annually. These regular visits allow your optometrist to monitor changes in your vision and detect ocular diseases and other problems as early as possible to prevent permanent damage.

If you want to improve your eye care, changing these bad habits is a good place to start. If you have questions about how these and other habits are affecting your eyes, turn to Daniel J. Kroger OD in West Chester, OH. For over 25 years, this optometrist has helped patients with all their eye care needs by performing regular exams and providing vision necessities like eyeglasses and contact lenses. If it’s been more than a year since your last exam, call (513) 777-3936 to schedule an appointment, or visit their website to learn more about their services.