Do You Need Better Eye Hygiene? How to Tell

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Eye hygiene is not always something that people think about daily, mainly if they’re used to getting lectures about how to wash their hands or purify their air. While these measures are essential, as any eye doctor in St. Marys, GA can tell you, you may need to focus more specifically on your eyes to avoid everything from general infections to more specific vision disorders.

Tips for Better Eye Hygiene

Here are the most common tips for better daily eye hygiene:

  • Remove all debris: This includes makeup, grit, or any external buildup. Compresses, makeup wipes, and coconut oil can all work to get out even the most stubborn of residue. If you notice any puffiness, a cool compress for a few minutes can reduce irritation.
  • Attack germs: Whether on your hands or your contacts, germs can land where you don’t want them to. In addition to washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, you should clean your contacts with fresh solution and replace your storage case every 3 to 6 months.
  • Wear your sunglasses: While natural light is essential to your visual health, you’ll need to balance that against the sun’s harmful rays. Sunglasses can also help you protect the vulnerable skin that’s right around the eyes, reducing the odds of skin cancer.
  • Mix up your lifestyle: Whether you start eating more carrots, lower your blood pressure, or stop smoking, all of these measures can help you improve the strength and resiliency of your eyes.

Schedule Your Eye Exam in St. Marys, GA

Home eye hygiene is a meaningful way to protect your vision and keep your eyes healthy. In fact, specific measures, such as keeping your contacts clean, may be able to prevent your vision from getting any worse. However, even the most conscientious people will still need to see their doctors from time to time.

If you’re concerned about your visual health, the best thing that you can do is get an eye exam in St. Marys every year. The right eye doctor can catch issues early, treating them before they have the chance to turn into bigger issues. If you’re looking for a qualified team to work with, contact the staff at Vision Source Family Eye Care today!

Why Do I Feel Like I Always Have to Squint? 

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As people grow older, they develop certain physical habits. These may include gesticulating with their hands when they speak, tilting their head at a certain angle or something else. But squinting isn’t so much a habit as a conscious or unconscious adaptive behavior or sight adjustment. If you feel like you are always squinting, or even need to squint, then may have some underlying condition going on with your eyesight.

Your Vision May Have Changed

The actual eye changes shape as you age. This results in changes in vision over time. Even those who have enjoyed 20/20 vision their entire lives may find that their vision isn’t as perfect as it was several decades previously. If you feel like you always have to squint, you may simply need corrective lenses. Contact us to schedule an eye exam in Jesup, GA, where we can evaluate your vision and recommend treatment options.

You May Have Macular Degeneration

A more serious cause for the need to squint may be related to macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is fairly common, but most people aren’t aware of it. Left untreated, eventually a person could lose their vision entirely. While sometimes macular degeneration exhibits no symptoms, other times a minor difficulty in seeing is apparent. Macular degeneration in Jesup, GA can be detected by your eye doctor. Come in as soon as possible so that treatment can begin right away, if necessary.

You May Need UV Protection

UV rays aren’t always obvious. But the sun can create eye strain even on cloudy days in winter. If you are always feeling like you need to squint, it could be that your eyes have become more sensitive to light than they have been in the past. A good pair of UV-rated sunglasses may do the trick. Or, you may do well with a pair of transition prescription eyeglasses in Brunswick, GA instead of your usual eyeglasses.

Remember, needing to squint is not normal. You should contact your eye doctor in St. Marys, GA to get to the bottom of the issue. We can help determine the cause and come up with relevant treatment options that will make you more comfortable and your eyes more healthy.