Five Habits That Can Cause Eye Problems

Many times we have some ‘bad’ habits that increase the risk of infections, injury or permanent damage to the eyes.

Let's look at five of them below:

1. We use the same contact lens case for a long time.
   Even if we change our lens solution daily, bacteria accumulate in the lens case. These bacteria attach themselves to the lenses, multiply and then transfer to the eyes. Some possible consequences of infection are pain, itching, light sensitivity and blurred vision. We should therefore change our lens cases regularly, preferably every 3 to 4 months. It is also advisable to sterilise the lens case once a week by placing it in boiling water for 5 minutes.
2. We rub our eyes.
   Eye rubbing is often done mechanically when we wake up or when our eyes are tired from working long hours in front of a computer. But this movement, especially when done with force, can cause the delicate blood vessels of the eyes to rupture, causing them to become irritated and red. Although the rupture of blood vessels is usually not sight-threatening, it should be remembered that rubbing also transports various germs to the eyes. To relieve our eyes, it is safer to pour plenty of cold water on our face.
3. We swim in the sea without a mask.
   If we want to explore the seabed, under no circumstances should we do so without a mask. Seawater is home to a huge number of microorganisms and various debris that, when they enter the eyes, cause anything from slight irritation and redness to serious infections.
4. We don't protect our eyes when we do business.
   A large percentage of eye injuries, around 40%, occur during various tasks in the home or garden or while cleaning. A sharp piece of metal or wood that is thrown out while we are doing chores is very likely to enter the eye and injure it. Something similar can happen with a strong cleaner while doing housework. So we must not forget to use some form of protection, such as a mask.
5. We clean our contact lenses with water.
   Lens fluid was not invented just to spend more money. It's specially formulated to neutralise microorganisms that cling to lenses during the day to prevent irritation and infection. We should therefore not resort to crude and unsafe solutions such as storing lenses in water. If we run out of liquid, it is better to throw away our lenses.