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Not wearing sunglasses -

When you don't wear sunglasses, you're exposing your eyes to the sun's harmful UV and high-energy visible (HEV) rays, which can prematurely age and damage your eyes. 

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Smoking -

Cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma are just some eye diseases linked to smoking. 

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Tattooing your eyeball -

Eyeball tattooing can cause serious complications, including infections from the needle or ink, inflammation of the eye, retinal detachments, or blindness.

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Mistaking glue or other substances for eye drops -

Some small bottles look like eye drops, and reaching for the wrong bottle can cause serious injuries and abrasions to the cornea. For this reason, it's recommended to keep the medications separated from other substances.

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Playing sports without protective eyewear -

Certain sports can cause serious eye injuries without the proper safety gear. Retinal detachments, bleeding inside the eye, and ruptures can be prevented with appropriate eyewear.

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Ignoring existing health conditions -

You may not think that your high blood pressure or other health conditions have anything to do with your eyes; however, they do.

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Not properly managing diabetes -

Not properly managing diabetes can cause a condition called retinopathy, which damages the eyes and eyesight.

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Not wearing protective eyewear at work -

If you work in construction, with chemicals, or love doing DIY projects at home, eyewear is a non-negotiable.

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Delaying medical care after an eye injury -

Some eye injuries may not seem serious, but not getting treatment could mean losing your vision. 

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Not taking medications as instructed -

Some conditions require specific treatment, such as eye drops for glaucoma. Patients sometimes forget to put them in or put them in correctly, which can impact the effectiveness of the treatment.

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Staring at the sun -

Staring directly at the sun without protection can burn your retina. And while your standard sunglasses offer protection from UV light, they're still not appropriate for staring directly at the sun.

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Too much screen time -

Excessive screen time can cause dry eye, as well as eye strain, which can lead to a decrease in vision clarity.

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Swimming in contact lenses -

Swimming while wearing contacts can cause bacteria to get in the eye and puts you at high risk for an infection. Try prescription swimming goggles instead.

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Forgetting to clean your contacts -

Not cleaning contact lenses well is another way people can get eye infections. Make sure you are washing your hands, storing contacts properly, and using a cleaning solution for disinfection. 

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Wearing contact lenses too long -

Daily wear contacts are contact lenses made for one-day use only. Wearing contacts for longer than instructed can threaten your vision.

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Buying contacts without a prescription -

Maybe you wish you had a different eye color or just want to spice up your next Halloween costume, but many of these over-the-counter contacts are sold without a doctor’s prescription and can lead to serious eye damage.

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Not eating a healthy diet -

If you aren't incorporating enough fruits and vegetables into your diet, then you're probably not getting the necessary vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids necessary for optimum eye health.

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Excessive use of alcohol -

Too much alcohol can cause problems for the eyes directly and indirectly. It can also cause certain eye conditions, like macular degeneration, to develop sooner.

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Not drinking enough water -

Not drinking enough water can cause your body to become dehydrated, including your eyes. 

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Sleeping with your makeup on -

If not removed properly, eye makeup can scratch the surface of the eye and lead to infection.

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Using non-approved make-up products -

Non-approved make-up products can cause infections and adverse reactions, which can be bad for your eyes and overall health.

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Rubbing your eyes -

The skin around your eyes is extremely delicate. Rubbing your eyes can break the tiny blood vessels beneath the surface skin. Regular eye rubbing has also been linked to a condition known as keratoconus, which causes thinning of the cornea and loss of its shape. 

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Not getting enough sleep -

Not getting enough rest can cause red eyes as well as dark circles, eye spasms, dry eyes, and blurry vision. 

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Making home remedies -

We often turn to home remedies for treating ailments. However, it's crucial not to rely on online recipes without consulting a medical professional first. Doing so could exacerbate conditions and lead to infections.

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Overuse of eye drops -

Eye drops that remove redness from the eyes are bad for your vision. These products restrict blood flow in the eye and can eventually cause damage. 

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Aging -

As we age, our eyesight can worsen from macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma. While aging can't be stopped, corrective vision surgery can help slow the progress and loss of vision.

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Skipping vaccines -

Keeping vaccination schedules current is essential, including ensuring adults receive the herpes zoster vaccine and children receive the measles vaccine. These diseases can potentially lead to eye problems.

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No ophthalmological check-ups -

Part of your annual wellness checkup should include a visit to your eye doctor to check your eyesight. Annual exams can help identify potential conditions before they become more serious.

Sources: (American Academy of Ophthalmology) (Institut Català de Retina) 

See also: Eye exams: why they're important, and how they work

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