The Importance of Scheduling Annual, Eye Exams
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The Importance of Scheduling Annual, Eye Exams

A few years ago, my dear maternal grandmother visited an optometrist. After thoroughly examining my grandmother’s eyes, this medical professional informed her that she had cataracts in both of them. Concerned, my grandmother immediately made an appointment with a surgeon. The two surgeries to remove the cataracts from my grandmother’s eyes were successful. Scheduling annual eye exams is crucial. During these appointments, your optometrist will check for potentially harmful conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, retinal detachment, nearsightedness, and farsightedness. On this blog, I hope you will discover the most important reasons you should visit your eye doctor every year. Enjoy!

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The Importance of Scheduling Annual, Eye Exams

Three Threats to Eye Health and How You Can Minimize Them

Stella Harvey

Modern technology has made it easier than ever to fix eye ailments. Visual impairments that were once considered permanent can now be fixed with laser surgery. Contact lenses can correct vision without the inconvenience of having glasses on your face. But, while modern society has benefited eye health in some ways, there are still factors that threaten your eye health. Here's a look at three of those threats and what you can do to minimize their impact on your eyes.

Environmental Pollutants

Air pollution may increase your risk of eye irritation and also of eye cancers. While it's impossible to avoid all air pollution, you can minimize your exposure by staying inside on days when the smog levels are elevated. Exercise inside on these days, and save activities like gardening for another time. You can also keep the air in your home healthier by:

  • Buying VOC-free paints, carpets, and cleaners. (VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are a common pollutant of indoor air.)
  • Changing the filter on your HVAC system regularly.
  • Keeping your windows closed and instead using your HVAC system (with a good filter) when you want some air flow.

Screen Time

From the hours spent looking at your smartphone to those spent behind the computer at work, all of that screen time can really be wearing on your eyes. It can strain your pupils, lead to headaches behind the eyes, and leave you extra sensitive to light. Try to minimize your screen time by indulging in other activities, like cooking, hiking, and gardening, for entertainment. When you do need to sit behind a screen, turn the brightness down to make it less irritating to your eyes. Take breaks and look away from the screen every 20 minutes or so.

Cosmetics

Everything from eyeliner to mascara helps you create your desired look. But you need to be careful that your modern cosmetics are not harming your eyes. Only use makeup that's specifically labeled to be safe to use around your eyes. (Never use blush, lipstick, etc. near your eyes unless it's labeled eye-safe.) The compounds in non-eye-safe formulas may cause eye irritation. Also, replace your cosmetics every couple of months to ensure they don't become laden with bacteria that could then cause an eye infection. Never share cosmetics with someone else – they could be contaminated with an infectious virus, fungal species, or bacteria.

For more tips to take care of your eyes, talk to an optometrist like those at Bucks Eye Specialits.


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