6 habits that can damage your eyes

Rub your eyes

Rubbing your eyes may temporarily relieve itching or irritation, but there is a potential risk of harming your eyes. Frequent rubbing can cause damage to the cornea, thinning and deforming the cornea, thereby affecting vision. This habit also increases the risk of keratoconus, which causes the cornea to weaken, be sensitive to light, and reduce vision.

Do not wear sunglasses when going out in the sun

Sunglasses help block ultraviolet (UV) rays, which are linked to macular degeneration, cataracts and skin cancer around the eyes. Not wearing sunglasses exposes the eyes and eyelids directly to UV rays for a long time, increasing the risk of eyelid cancer, especially basal cell carcinoma. For optimal eye protection, choose sunglasses with 99-100% UV protection.

Sleep without removing contact lenses

People who use weekly or monthly contact lenses need to remove their lenses before sleeping and store them in a clean box with a specialized disinfectant solution. Sleeping or swimming with contact lenses in increases your risk of serious eye infection.

Drink too much alcohol

Drinking too much alcohol can damage eye tissues such as the cornea and retina – structures that are sensitive to light. This habit also negatively affects the optic nerve, especially in people with glaucoma, making the disease progress faster. Therefore, limiting or avoiding alcohol helps protect eyesight better.

Do not remove eye makeup

Wearing makeup but not removing it thoroughly, using expired cosmetics or applying products close to the eyelids can cause irritation, clog oil glands and increase the risk of eye infection. To protect your eyes, keep your eyelids clean, avoid sharing cosmetics and always remove eye makeup before going to bed.

Poor diet and sedentary lifestyle

A diet lacking vitamins, minerals and healthy fatty acids can negatively affect eye health. Vitamin A helps maintain vision in low light conditions, vitamin C contributes to reducing the risk of cataracts, while omega-3s support the prevention of glaucoma and macular degeneration. Regular physical activity such as walking and swimming can increase circulation, reduce blood pressure and intraocular pressure, thereby protecting long-term vision.