5 habits that put eye health at stake

5 habits that put eye health at stake

Smoking, misuse of contact lenses, eye rubbing, poor eyelid hygiene, and environmental factors that favor dryness can pose a threat to vision.

1. Continued use of screens and mobile devices

The use of screens and mobile devices, whether for professional or recreational reasons, can produce alterations in the ocular surface, especially associated with dry eye, a disorder that originates from the inability of the lacrimal glands to secrete enough tears to maintain the lubricated eye. "The most common thing is to blink between 14 and 18 times per minute, but people who work in front of a screen, can reduce this frequency a lot, causing the surface of the eye to be poorly lubricated," says Dr. Daniel Elies, from the IMO Department of Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgery, who recommends the use of artificial tears without preservatives to avoid dry eyes.

2. Smoking

Smoking is another risk factor for dry eye, since this habit produces vasoconstriction or narrowing of the blood vessels, which can lead to a lack of lubrication of the eye surface and consequent eye irritation, causing a dry eye sensation

3. Air conditioners, heating or a journey of several hours by plane

There are also environmental factors that can trigger dry eye, such as continued exposure to air-conditioned, heated spaces, or a multi-hour flight. In this line, IMO specialists remember that dry eye can be due to various causes and factors that make personalized treatment essential for each case.

4. Contact lenses

Contact lens wearers must pay special attention and follow the hygiene care necessary for its correct conservation. "At IMO we recommend that these patients carry out reviews with the ophthalmologist once a year, as well as with the optician optometrist, since they are more likely to suffer from an infectious keratitis, a corneal infection caused by a bacterium, virus or fungus that must be treated immediately to avoid loss of vision. Also, contact lenses reduce sensitivity, causing a decrease in reflections when, for example, something enters our eye, which can lead to serious injuries, "explains Dr. Merce Morral. The most common symptoms of this infection are photophobia (abnormal light intolerance), tearing, and red eye. Likewise, good hand hygiene, the use of solutions and liquids to conserve them, not using them in beaches or swimming pools, not sleeping with them on and not exceeding their use during the day, can help prevent infections.

5. Good eyelid hygiene

Good eyelid hygiene is also an important preventive measure against infections and dry eye. People with a water deficit in the tear film can produce a thick type of tear and notice dry eyes or dandruff in the eyelashes. This occurs because the tear film is of poor quality and therefore unable to properly lubricate the surface of the eye. Being too dense, when it dries it condenses on dandruff-shaped eyelids and eyelashes. To prevent this from happening, it is essential to have adequate eyelid hygiene, washing the eyelids with neutral soap or with eyelid wipes and, in case of any discomfort, IMO specialists recommend going to the ophthalmologist so that they can determine the cause and recommend the most appropriate treatment .