Eye Health Mistakes:
Some Men Don’t Realize They’re Making
When it comes to eye health, most men don’t think twice until something starts to feel off.
Maybe it’s blurry vision after long hours on the screen, or dry eyes that won’t go away.
The truth is, a lot of the damage builds up slowly, and it often comes from everyday habits you may not even realize are harmful. Whether it’s skipping eye exams, ignoring diet, or not wearing the right protection, these small things can lead to bigger problems over time.
In this blog, we’ll break down some of the most common eye health mistakes men make, and show you how to fix them before they impact your vision.
10 Eye Health Mistakes Most Men Make (and How to Fix Them)
-
Skipping Regular Eye Exams
A lot of men avoid going for eye checkups unless something feels seriously wrong. The problem is that many eye issues, like glaucoma or early-stage cataracts, don’t show obvious symptoms at first. By the time you notice changes, the damage could already be done.
Solution: Make it a habit to get a full eye exam every one to two years, even if your vision seems fine. These exams can catch early signs of problems and help you stay ahead of any long-term issues.
-
Too Much Screen Time
Spending hours in front of a laptop, phone, or TV can lead to dry eyes, blurred vision, and frequent headaches. Digital eye strain is real, especially if you don’t take breaks or adjust your posture.
Solution: Follow the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This gives your eyes a short break and helps reduce strain. Also, adjust your screen brightness and avoid using devices in dark rooms. If your eyes feel tired or dry, don’t push through it. Take a proper break.
-
No Eye Protection
Whether you’re playing sports, doing yard work, or handling tools, not wearing protective eyewear puts your eyes at risk. Dust, flying particles, or chemicals can cause serious injury or infection.
Solution: Wear safety glasses or goggles for any activity that might put your eyes in danger. Choose wraparound styles for full protection. If you play sports regularly, invest in good-quality protective eyewear suited for your game.
-
Poor Diet
Your eyes need the right nutrients to stay healthy. A diet low in vitamins A, C, and E, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants can lead to problems like dry eyes, macular degeneration, or poor night vision.
Solution: Add leafy greens, colourful fruits, nuts, fish, and eggs to your meals. These foods support your eye health naturally. A few small changes in your diet can make a big difference in the long run.
-
Smoking
Smoking harms your eyes just like it harms your lungs and heart. It increases your chances of developing cataracts and can speed up age-related vision loss like macular degeneration.
Solution: If you smoke, try to quit. Your eyes will thank you. Talk to a doctor if you need help managing the process. Even cutting down is a step in the right direction.
-
Sleeping in Contact Lenses
Sleeping with contacts in is a bad habit that many men pick up. It reduces oxygen supply to your eyes and increases the risk of infections, some of which can be serious or even lead to vision loss.
Solution: Always remove your contact lenses before sleeping unless your eye doctor specifically says it is okay. Clean and store them properly every night to keep your eyes safe.
-
Poor Contact Lens Hygiene
Rinsing lenses with tap water, reusing old solution, or not washing your hands before touching them can expose your eyes to bacteria. This can lead to redness, irritation, or even eye ulcers.
Solution: Use fresh contact lens solution every time. Wash your hands thoroughly before handling lenses. Replace your lens case regularly and stick to the cleaning schedule your doctor recommends.
-
Rubbing Eyes Roughly
Rubbing your eyes when you’re tired or itchy might feel good, but it can break tiny blood vessels or even weaken your cornea over time. This can lead to conditions like keratoconus.
Solution: Use a clean tissue to gently dab your eyes if they itch or tear up. If irritation continues, use lubricating eye drops or talk to a doctor about possible allergies or dryness.
-
Ignoring Long-Term Symptoms or Issues
Redness, blurry vision, or frequent eye pain that doesn’t go away should not be ignored. Many men brush off these symptoms until it becomes too late to fix them easily.
Solution: Listen to your body. If something feels off with your eyes for more than a day or two, get it checked. Early treatment often means faster recovery and fewer complications.
-
Not Getting Adequate Sleep
Staying up late for work or binge-watching shows can affect more than your energy. Tired eyes get dry, red, and strained more easily.
Solution:
Aim for 7 to 8 hours of good sleep every night. Your eyes need that downtime to rest, refresh, and recover from daily strain. Better sleep also improves focus and reduces the risk of digital eye fatigue.
Closing Thoughts
Most eye problems do not start overnight. They build up through small habits that are easy to ignore. By paying a little more attention to how you treat your eyes each day, you can avoid many long-term issues. Simple changes like regular checkups, better screen habits, and proper care can go a long way in protecting your vision and keeping your eyes healthy as you age.
About the Author
Dr. Azhar I. Salahuddin is an ophthalmologist at InSight Vision Center and is fellowship-trained in cornea, external diseases, and refractive surgery. Dr. Salahuddin has been performing cataract surgery for over 19 years and specializes in ocular reconstruction, corneal transplantation surgery, as well as vision correction through a variety of intraocular lenses. Dr. Salahuddin is board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and was trained at Boston University.
