Common Causes of Damage to Your Eyes
It seems like every week, new advice is published warning of something else that is bad for our health. These warnings can even often be contradictory from month to month, leading to confusion and frustration among the general public. But when it comes to our eyes, the supposed threats to our vision are generally well-founded and universally accepted.
Despite being among the most complex structures in the known universe, we have developed a pretty good understanding of how the human eye works. But while you might assume that this would make advice for maintaining their health difficult to ignore – this isn’t always the case.
So, in this article, we’re taking a closer look at some of the most common threats to our eyes. We’ll assess natural dangers and common habits that can all have an impact on our eyes and vision and what we can do to better protect them.
The Sun: The world’s source of light (and UV damage)
Who doesn’t enjoy spending a lazy afternoon relaxing in the sun? Possibly with a drink in hand, or a good book? Many of us plan annual escapes from our normal lives specifically for this purpose. But most of us are also aware of the serious threats posed by our closest star.
We all know that we shouldn’t look directly at the sun, and we are (mostly) conscious about applying enough sun cream, but many of us don’t particularly pay much attention to the damage the sun can do on an average day. The fact is the sun is constantly emitting ultraviolet (UV) rays and while these can be particularly harmful on sunny days, they can cause damage on a cloudy, miserable day, too!
UV rays can also be more harmful when they are reflected off of surfaces such as glass, water, and even snow – which is why you might be particularly susceptible to sunburn when you go skiing! But how exactly do UV rays damage our eyes?
Well, prolonged exposure to UV light can modify the proteins in the eye’s natural lens. In addition, this exposure can also lead to cataract formation, which can significantly affect vision quality. There is also evidence that sun exposure may be linked to early-onset macular degeneration, as well as the development of pterygium (abnormal tissue growth on the whites of the eyes) and photokeratitis (sunburn on the cornea, which can cause cracking and blistering).
Thankfully, protecting your eyes from UV rays can be pretty straightforward. Remaining in the shade during the sunniest parts of the day and wearing high-quality sunglasses (even on cloudy days!) can go a long way!
Excessive alcohol: The world’s favourite pastime
For many people, enjoying a glass of wine after a long day or catching up with friends over a few beers at the pub is a normal part of life. And in most cases, enjoying the occasional drink is nothing to worry about. However, if indulged in excess, alcohol can pose a significant threat to your whole body – including your eyes.
Heavy drinking can affect your eyes in a number of ways. It can cause dehydration, potentially leading to dry eyes (an issue that makes your eyes more susceptible to damage and infection); but it can also be associated with long-term problems, including macular degeneration, optic neuropathy, and changes to your colour contrast sensitivity. The results can be significant changes to your colour vision and central field vision.
But drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can also affect your eyes indirectly. For example, alcohol is known to alter how your liver processes vitamin A – a vital vitamin for eye health.
Interestingly, there has been some research that shows drinking an occasional glass of red wine may actually slow eyesight deterioration – although occasional is the important word there. The best way to avoid the sight-related dangers of alcohol is to drink in moderation, staying within the government-issued guidelines for alcohol consumption.
Smoking: A thankfully dying habit
After ageing, smoking is the biggest risk factor associated with macular degeneration. Furthermore, like alcohol, smoking is also linked to a number of other problems for your eyes.
For example, smoking can cause a decrease in blood flow, causing damage to the optic nerve (optic neuropathy). This can cause pain as well as blurring, blind spots, reduced colour vision or even complete loss of vision. Smoking can also increase your risk of developing cataracts, chronic red eye, and dry eyes.
The most effective way to protect your eyes from the risks of smoking is, of course, to quit and avoid second-hand smoke as much as possible. While vaping can be effective at helping people quit smoking, there is little research on how vaping affects eye health. Therefore, it is best to exercise caution.
Diet and Exercise: Staples of a healthy life
Staying active and maintaining a balanced diet are two of the best things you can do to ensure your overall health – including that of your eyes.
Eating an unhealthy diet and not getting enough exercise can lead to a huge number of health complications. For example, this can eventually lead to the hardening and narrowing of the arteries, causing high blood pressure and other cardiovascular issues. But this can also be linked to diabetes, high cholesterol, and much more!
These disorders can all cause vision problems if left unmanaged. In serious cases, they can even lead to permanent blindness!
Getting regular exercise can help to lower your risk of developing many of these health problems. Current NHS guidelines suggest that adults do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity a week or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity a week. But you should also be mindful of your diet. Eating five portions of fruit and vegetables a day – including at least one portion of vitamin A-rich foods like liver, spinach, salmon, sweet potatoes, and peppers – can help to maintain your eye health.
If you’d like to learn more about maintaining your eye health or to enquire about our treatments, get in touch with one of our friendly clinic coordinators. Alternatively, Book a Consultation to find out whether Laser Eye Surgery could be right for you.