Eight Practical Ways to Play It Safe with Your Pretty Eyes

1. Have your eyes checked by a reputable ophthalmologist or optometrist every year. You should never self-diagnose or self-prescribe-your eyes are too fragile to tamper with or entrust to just anyone. Also, have an examination done by the examination done by the specialists ASAP if you notice that something’s wrong with your vision or the eye itself.

2. Practice personal hygiene when handling your eyes-wash and disinfect your hands before touching them. You wouldn’t want to end up catching sore eyes now, would you?

3. Don’t use products that might agitate your eyes. E careful with anything you use on your eyes like makeup (mascara, eye shadow) and medicine (eye drops and ointments). Check their ingredients and expiry dates to prevent allergic reactions.

4. When something gets into your eye, immediately wash the irritant out with clear water. If the itchiness or swelling persists, consult your doctor. Don’t rub!

5. Keep sharp objects away from your eyes! Many injuries involving the eyes resulted to the lost of one or both. Don’t think this advice is just for tykes; I knew a girl in college who was rushed to the hospital because she accidentally poked her eye with a headband. There was no permanent damage, but you may not be that lucky.

6. Develop good reading habits; don’t read in the dark, while lying down or inside a moving vehicle.

7. Avoid eyestrain: don’t stare at bright objects like the sun or halogen headlights. Also, avoid the glare of the TV or the computer screen; keep at least a five foot distance from the tube.

8. Shades and a baseball cap, if worn properly-they protect your eyes from the harmful UV rays.