Eye Hygiene 101

Most of us have heard about the importance of good oral hygiene, such as regular brushing and flossing. Good oral hygiene helps protect your teeth and reduce the risk of dental problems. The same is true for good eye hygiene.

Eye hygiene involves daily practices that help keep the eyelids and lashes clean. 
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It also includes habits that protect the eyes from injury and infections. Proper eye hygiene can impact your overall eye health.
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The article below covers why good hygiene is so important and how to develop healthy eye habits. ​

Why is good eye hygiene important?

Just like the rest of your body, your eyes need proper care to maintain optimal health. Proper eye hygiene is important for different reasons. For instance, good eye hygiene can help reduce the risk of infection. Pathogens, such as bacteria, can enter the body through the eyes and lead to an infection. Practicing good eye hygiene can help prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses and reduce the risk of an eye infection.

Proper eye hygiene also can help detect vision and eye issues early. Part of good eye hygiene is getting regular vision and eye exams. Regular exams can spot eye problems early, which allow for treatment. 
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Tips for good eye hygiene

There are several things you can do to practice good eye hygiene and promote healthy eyes and vision, such as the following:

Wash your hands often: Washing your hands frequently is one of the best ways to prevent transmitting bacteria into your eyes. Always wash your hands before touching your eyes.

Avoid rubbing your eyes: Even if your eyes are itchy, avoid rubbing them. It is possible for your fingernails to scratch your eyes. Plus, rubbing your eyes can spread bacteria into the eyes.

Practice proper contact lens care: If you wear contact lenses, make sure you always follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how often to replace them. Wash your hands before handling your contact lenses. Also, do not sleep or swim in your lenses.

Do not share washcloths and towels: Sharing bath towels and washcloths may contribute to the spread of bacteria from person to person.

Care for your lids: The eyelids and near your lash line can accumulate oils and dirt. Good eye hygiene also includes cleaning your eye lids.

Discard old eye makeup: Makeup has a shelf life. A good practice is to throw away eye makeup, such as eyeliner and mascara after about three months. Eye makeup can become contaminated with bacteria, which can easily spread to your eyes. Also, only use eye makeup products that are specifically meant for the eyes. Remove all eye makeup at the end of the day before going to sleep.

Have regular eye exams: Regular eye exams are also an essential step to keeping your eyes healthy. Certain eye conditions and diseases do not cause noticeable symptoms until they are in their advanced stages. An eye exam can diagnose an eye disease early, so you can take the needed steps to help slow progression of the disease.

Take breaks from screen time: Too much screen time can lead to tired and red eyes. Whether you are working at a computer or scrolling on your cellphone, try to take frequent breaks to give your eyes a rest. Practice the 20-20-20 rule. The 20-20-20 rule suggests that every 20 minutes you look away to about 20 feet in front of you for 20 seconds.

We hope by implementing the proper eye hygiene habits you can keep your eyes healthy. If you would like to ask whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, call our office at 508-746-8600.
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