Did you know that there are more women than men who suffer from age related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts? According to Prevent Blindness America, of the 4.4 million Americans that are 40 years of age or over and are blind or visually impaired, most of them are women. April is Women’s Health and Safety Month, and in light we are raising awareness and sharing information. In order to encourage women to keep their eyes strong, here are some tips that will ensure that your eyes remain healthy for years to come:
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Most think that sun protection means wearing sunblock, but that’s not the only area of your body that needs protection from the sun’s UV rays. People often forget about their eyes, but protecting your eyes is just as important as protecting your skin. UV rays can do a lot of damage; it can lead to cancer of the skin on your eyelids, cause early progression of cataracts, and can even damage the cornea and retina. Wearing a hat alone won’t help, so remember to wear sunglasses, even on a cloudy day!
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Did you know that certain medications can cause visual side effects such as blurry vision or dry eyes? This can be due to taking common medications such as birth control pills and anti-histamines, so be sure to note any visual changes and discuss this, along with any medications you are taking, with your eye care practitioner for treatment options.
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The blue screen from digital devices are known to put a strain on the eyes, and that can lead to a host of problems. In order to allow your eyes to rest, we recommend using the 20/20/20 rule to give your eyes a break. In order to give your gives time to relax, make sure every twenty minutes you look at something that’s not on the screen, that’s twenty feet away, for twenty seconds.
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Be sure to practice healthy hygiene, and keep your eyes and the areas around your eyes clean. If you wear make-up, be sure to clean the makeup off your face before you go to bed. In order to avoid harmful bacteria replace your mascara wand, eyeliner pencil, and replace your contact lenses case every few months. If you wear contacts, be sure to remove your lenses every night before bed, and clean then everyday with fresh solution.
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In order to avoid the potential of serious eye problems, never buy “over the counter”/non-prescription cosmetic and color contact lenses. There is a possibility that this cosmetic lenses may not be sterile and can cause scratches on your eyes, and could even cause serious sight threatening infections. Be sure to visit your optometrist if you are interested in contact lenses so that they can be properly sized and fitted appropriately to your eye shape.
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Your hair is a pollen magnet, so if you suffer from allergies, try to wash your hair every night before bed. There’s a good chance that if you don’t and just go straight to bed, it will spread the allergens to your sheets and your pillowcase, and you might find yourself waking up with itchy eyes!