Using devices will not damage your eyes. But staring at them for long periods of time can give rise to dry eyes, blurry vision, teary or watery eyes, headache and neck strain (digital eye strain). Practice good eye health habits like the 20-20-20 rule: resting your eyes every 20 minutes by looking out 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Using devices does expose your eyes to blue light. But there is currently no evidence that it causes damage to your eye. Blue light has been shown to affect our circadian rhythm or sleep cycle. So too much blue light exposure late at night from using devices can affect your sleep.
Excessive sunlight or UV light exposure can increase the risks of cataracts, growths on the eye called pterygiums and even cancer such as melanoma. Exposure to reflection from the snow can cause a condition called snow blindness. So, it is advisable to wear UV-blocking sunglasses when outdoors.
Food choices good for eye health include
- citrus fruits, vegetable oils, nuts, whole grains, dark green leafy vegetables and fish.
- Foods are rich in vitamins C and E, zinc, lucien, zeaxanthin, and omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA.
- These nutrients may lower risk for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts and dry eyes.
- People who have AMD may slow progression by taking a special supplement called the AREDS 2 formula.
- It’s also important to cut down or stop smoking in AMD.
- If you are an adult, your degree will usually stay stable unless you develop a cataract, then your myopia may increase.
- If you are a child, wearing your glasses are important in preventing amblyopia (lazy eye), especially if you are 8 years old or below.
- In kids, increased outdoor activities and an eye drop called atropine has been proven to slow progression.
- Wearing your eyeglasses reduces eye strain which may be a factor increasing myopia in children.
- It is not true that wearing eyeglasses will increase reliance on glasses.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology issued a statement in 2014 about vision therapy: “Currently, there is no adequate scientific evidence to support the view that subtle eye or visual problems cause learning disabilities. Furthermore, the evidence does not support the concept that vision therapy or tinted lenses or filters are effective, directly or indirectly, in the treatment of learning disabilities. Thus, the claim that vision therapy improves visual efficiency cannot be substantiated.”
- Rub your lenses when cleaning them, this loosens the protein and bacteria that builds up.
- Rinse your lenses in contact lens solution and never with tap water or homemade saline. –
- Replace your contact lens case at least 3 times per year.
- Rest your eyes from contact lens, never sleep with contact lens on.
- Renew your contact lenses as recommended, for example, a one-month contact lens should only be used for 30 days after opening.
- Reserve an appointment with an optometrist or ophthalmologist to keep your eyes healthy and identify problems early.
- Children with
- Squint or eyes that look crossed
- “lazy eye” (amblyopia)
- rapidly increasing short-sightedness, long-sightedness, astigmatism
- Adults with
- Diabetes or high blood pressure
- Family history of eye disease
- The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends
- Adults get a complete eye examination at age 40
- Eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts and diabetic eye disease often have a good outcome when detected early and treated.