During Sight Saving Month in the Philippines, we are reminded that protecting our eyes starts with understanding what can quietly damage them. 
While most people already know about the dangers of not wearing sunglasses or skipping regular eye exams, there are lesser-known habits that could be putting your vision at risk.
Here’s a rundown of five surprising ways you might be harming your eyes without even realizing it. Guilty of any of these? It’s best to start being more mindful of our habits. Remember, small changes can make all the difference for our eye health in the long run.
1. Rubbing your eyes too often. It might feel satisfying, but rubbing your eyes can cause micro-tears in the cornea, increase the risk of infection and worsen conditions like keratoconus—a progressive thinning of the cornea that’s more common in Asian eyes.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), frequent rubbing can also cause small blood vessels to break, leading to redness and irritation.
2. Using expired eye makeup. Mascara, eyeliner and eye shadow can harbor bacteria, too. And in the humid Philippine climate, expired products can cause eye infections like conjunctivitis. It is advised to replace mascara every three months and avoid “pumping” the wand, which introduces bacteria into the tube.
3. Overusing eye drops. While artificial tears are great for occasional dryness, overusing decongestant eye drops can lead to rebound redness and irritation. In fact, studies show that chronic use of eye drops can mask underlying conditions like dry eye disease or allergic conjunctivitis.
4. Staring at screens without breaks. The average Filipino spends more than nine hours a day online. Prolonged screen use reduces blink rate, causing dryness, digital eye strain and blurred vision. The AAO recommends the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds to give your eyes a rest.
5. Skipping sunglasses on cloudy days. Up to 80% of UV rays can still penetrate through clouds, according to the World Health Organization. Over time, UV exposure increases the risk of cataracts, macular degeneration and pterygium (a growth on the eye surface common in tropical countries). Make sunglasses with UV400 protection part of your daily wear—even when it’s overcast.
Schedule a comprehensive eye exam today! Get in touch with Asian Eye Institute at (02) 8- 898-2020 or book an appointment at https://asianeyeinstitute.com/book-now/. AsianEye’s main clinics are located at Phinma Plaza, Rockwell Center Makati, with satellite clinics in TriNoma, Quezon City; and Commercenter Alabang.
(Story by: Aizel Maquimot)
