From HealthNewsDigest.com

Eye Care
Are You Sabotaging Your Eyesight
By
Jun 9, 2015 - 11:31:03 AM

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - Our eyes are our windows to the world.  No one would knowingly lose their eye sight if they could help it. Dr. Mirwat Sami is a Houston Board-certified Ophthalmologist specializing in Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.  She states that, "The most harmful habit that poses the greatest risk of being afflicted with avoidable blindness is skipping your periodic eye exam. A yearly eye check-up is your greatest protection against sight-threatening diseases. One must also not ignore symptoms of eye diseases such as floaters, pain, redness, blurry or spotty vision, etc. In case of any issue an eye health professional must be contacted immediately."  In addition to missed eye exams, there are bad habits you can stop right now to help you see 20/20.

Bad eyesight habits

Smoking

With every cigarette you smoke, you inhale at least 7,000 kinds of dangerous chemicals that can be hazardous for your health, especially for your eyes. Smoking is also considered a risk factor for macular degeneration and, like any toxin, has a cumulative effect on our health over years.

Not Wearing Sunglasses

When your naked eyes get exposed to ultraviolet radiations, they become susceptible to damage. However, wearing sunglasses can prevent your eyes from damage. UV radiation from sunlight can cause conditions in and around the eyes ranging from eyelid skin cancer, cataracts, pterygium and macular degeneration. To prevent these conditions from causing permanent damage, it is imperative to always protect from UV radiation and get periodic eye exams to identify early damaging effects.

Rubbing your eyes.

As tempting as it may be, it's a big no-no. Dr. Sami says that, "Rubbing

them too hard can break the blood vessels under the eyelids. So to soothe irritated eyes, try a cold compress instead." Eyes can be irritated due to conditions such as allergies, dry eyes, computer vision syndrome and lax eyelid muscles. Rubbing of the eyes worsens the irritation. It also causes the skin, muscles and ligaments of the eyelids to become more lax and appear aged. To prevent this, it is best to first understand the reason for the irritation and treat it accordingly.

Overusing eye drops.

While they temporarily alleviate dry eyes, using them too often could actually irritate your eyes over time. The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) warns that nonprescription eye drops don't actually improve the health of your eye; they just make your eyes appear less red. They recommend using eye drops for only a short period of time. Lubricating eye drops and artificial tears can be very helpful in soothing dry and irritated eyes but overuse is not recommended as these drops can contain preservatives that can be harmful to the cornea when used in excess. Also, drops that claim to "get the red out" contain vasoconstrictors that can be harmful in two ways: firstly by masking the redness, they deter people from seeking medical attention in a timely fashion for potentially vision-threatening conditions such as infections. Secondly, the vasoconstrictors shrink blood vessels, making the eyes appear less red but when the effect wears off the vessel have a "rebound" effect where they appear redder and more dilated than before. This makes people use the drops again and starts off a "vicious cycle" of overuse.

Watching TV at night.

In fact, looking at any type of screen right before bed in the dark, including your cell phone, e-reader, television, and computer, is bad for you. The levels of light are changing rapidly, so your eyes have

to work hard to process the changes, which can lead to eyestrain, pain,  headaches, dry eyes, and redness.

Staring at the Computer

Some people have a habit of staring at their computer screens for long durations without blinking even once. This can result in dry eyes and computer vision syndrome. It is best to take regular breaks, use artificial tears for lubrication and be aware of the potential reasons for eye irritation.

Sleeping with Contacts

This is a complete no-no. This bad habit can result in potentially blinding eye infection. At times, you may feel too lazy to remove your contact lenses. But, this laziness can place your eyes in serious danger.

Poor contact lens hygiene

It is imperative to always clean contact lenses as directed by your eye doctor. Always wash your hands with soap and water before touching contact lenses. Use cleaning products recommended for contact lens use. Never use homemade solutions as these carry many germs and do not clean lenses properly. Never swim with contact lenses; instead invest in a pair of prescription swimming goggles if necessary.

Not using safety goggles.

According to the AAO, almost 45% of eye injuries happen at home. And the most common risks are being exposed to chemicals in cleaning products (household products cause 125,000 injuries each year), hot grease and oil splatters during cooking, home improvement projects  involving nails, mowing the lawn, and using hot styling tools near the eyes. So yes, you may look silly wearing those safety goggles, but it's a really good idea when working on a home improvement project.

Eyecare Myths

Sitting Too Close to the TV Will Damage Your Vision

Fiction: Sitting closer than necessary to the television may give you a headache, but it will not damage your vision. This applies to adults only. On the other hand, children that sit too close to the television might have eye problems and need to get an eye exam to determine if they need glasses to see better.

Reading in the Dark Will Weaken Your Eyesight

Fiction: As with sitting too close to the television, you may feel eye strain or get a headache from reading in   the dark, but it will not weaken your eyes. Again, this applies only to adults. Children should always be encouraged to read in well-illuminated conditions.

Using Glasses or Contacts Will

Weaken My Eyesight, and My Eyes Will Eventually Become Dependent On Them

Fiction: Your eyes will not grow weaker as a result of using corrective lenses.  Your prescription may change over time due to aging or the presence of disease, but it is not because of your current prescription. In adults, not wearing prescription glasses even if they have a need can result in eyestrain and headaches. However, in children it is imperative that they follow eye care instructions: not wearing prescribed glasses in children can result in permanent damage and poor development of their visual pathways.


www.houstonoculoplastic.com


About

Dr. Mirwat Sami

Dr. Mirwat Sami is one of a handful of physicians across the country uniquely qualified to treat both medical and cosmetic problems of the face around the eyes. Her specialized training in ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery help Dr. Sami provide her patients with unique and individualized treatment for their facial concerns.

After graduating at the top of her class in medical school, Dr. Sami underwent extensive specialized training in ophthalmology and ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery, first at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and then at Plastic Eye Surgery Associates, Houston, Texas. During her training at Memorial Hermann Hospital, one of the busiest trauma centers of the nation, she was intricately involved in the surgical reconstruction of complex facial trauma and burn

victims.


Dr. Sami has expertise in the field of eyelid and facial cosmetic surgery, tear drain surgery, eyelid malposition  correction, skin cancer reconstruction, thyroid eye disease, reconstructive surgery for facial trauma and fractures, and orbital tumors. As a facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Sami has fine-tuned her skills in cosmetic procedures that can unveil and highlight the inner beauty of her patients. She skillfully combines a woman's perspective with a keen surgical eye to detail and safety. The end result is aesthetically pleasing and attractive and unique to each of her patients.

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