by Kristen Moore

Created on: November 16, 2011   Last Updated: November 17, 2011

Not only do eyes grant the gift of vision, they are commonly considered the most exquisitely beautiful feature upon the face. These are only two reasons why the eyes are so significant to human existence. Indeed, there are countless reasons why the eyes should be shielded from damage and infection.  Fortunately, protecting your eyes is neither difficult nor is it time-consuming.

Following is a guide to preventing eye issues from occurring:

Give your Contacts a Rest

Most people suffer some sort of vision impairment at some point in life. Indeed, a myriad of people are wearing glasses or contacts by the age of 18. If you choose to wear contacts, just realize that they are only designed for temporary use. Contacts inhibit the eyes’ ability to rejuvenate and breathe. Although they are fine for regular use, contacts should not be worn for more than 8 hours per day.

Also, strive to give your eyes a break from contacts at least one day out of the week. Use this day to get better acquainted with your glasses. Furthermore, never ever sleep in your contacts. Doing so could leave your eyes susceptible to irritation and nasty infections.

Use Caution with Cosmetics

For many women, using eye makeup can be fun and exhilarating. Indeed, cosmetics are a relatively easy way to look and feel better about personal appearances. However, certain precautions must be taken before applying eye makeup. Misuse of certain cosmetics can lead to infection. For starters, never sleep in your makeup. Your skin and eyes use this time to rejuvenate. You absolutely do not want bits of makeup flaking into your eyes as you sleep. This could lead to irritation and infection.

Additionally, never share eye makeup with anyone else. No matter how well-acquainted you are with another person; do not risk the health of your eyes by sharing makeup. Communal cosmetics can lead to the spread of nasty infections, such as pink eye. Lastly, understand the expiration date on your makeup. For instance, a tube of mascara should never exceed 6 weeks of use. When you over-extend the life of your cosmetics, you run the risk of exposing your precious eyes to harmful bacteria.

Provide Sun Protection

Much like your skin, your eyes are susceptible to sun irritation and damage. In general, people having pale-colored eyes are more prone to damage than those with darker eyes. When it comes to shielding eyes from the sun, a good pair of sunglasses is your best bet. For the most part, when selecting a pair of sunglasses, the darker shades are more effective. However, always try on sunglasses before purchasing them – you want to be sure that they are not too dark.

Furthermore, opt for sunglasses that provide basic UV protection. Most sunglasses come with an attached tag; read this tag carefully. Usually, it will indicate whether or not the product provides UV defense.

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