Your eyesight is one of your most valuable assets. Clear vision enables you to work properly, whether you’re processing data behind a desk or cutting wood and steel in a construction site.
Since our eyes keep us safe by making us aware of our surroundings, we must also keep them safe from external dangers. To give them the utmost care is to prevent damage. By wearing eye protection glasses and avoiding these outside threats, we can ensure that our eyes stay healthy.
Dust and impact
Do you work at wood stations or construction sites where sand, dirt, and sawdust tend to taint the air? Do you often drive through heavily polluted traffic? Do smokers often surround you? Any of these can irritate your eyes. Wearing proper safety goggles and avoiding these things altogether will protect your vision.
Too much sunlight
Over-exposure to sunlight or other sources of extreme light or UV can also be damaging to your eyes. Photo-sensitivity or photophobia is common among those who have eye disorders or those who have just undergone refractive or corrective surgeries. Even those who are not photo-sensitive are still prone to eye damage when they stare or are exposed to too much UV for extended periods.
Wear sunglasses with ultraviolet protection or photochromic lenses, which automatically darken when outdoors.
Fumes
If you’re often around volatile chemicals or clean the house frequently, then you’re eyes are exposed to dangerous fumes. Many industrial chemicals are highly toxic and can cause eye irritations or other health complications if you don’t wear the right masks and goggles.
Likewise, when using cleaning agents like bleach, ammonia, or muriatic acid, always wear protective equipment to avoid inhaling or coming into contact with the fumes.
Overworking
You might be in a safe and secure environment, but your eyes can still be irritated when you don’t take care of them. Overworking or overexerting your eyesight can cause dryness, which then leads to irritation or red eyes. Likewise, dry or arid weather can cause eye dryness.
The primary reason why blinking is an involuntary process is that our eyes need continuous lubrication. Hence, make it a habit to rest your eyes when you’ve worked for too long. You can also use eye drops to moisturize your eyes and relieve strain.
Too much rubbing
Rubbing your eyes can feel nice at times, but it might injure your eyes, too. Frequent rubbing and scratching can damage the surface of your cornea. Dirty hands can infect your eyes. It’s normal to rub your eyes to rid them of pollutants or if your allergies are acting up. Just make sure your hands are clean.
General negligence
If you wear contact lenses, don’t forget to remove them before going to bed. Leaving your contacts on your eyes unattended might cause infections or worsen them. Avoid wearing contact lenses when you have sore eyes.
Another possible cause is cosmetics. Always make sure to rub everything off before you go to sleep. Upon contact, your eyes might react to certain chemicals, which can lead to eye infections like conjunctivitis or pink eye.
Don’t take your eyesight for granted. Wash your hands, rest your eyes, and see a doctor if irritation persists.
