What to do for your eyes — and what not to do

Screens don't ruin your eyesight, but over a day they wear your eyes out: we blink less, hold focus at one distance for a long time and sit in awkward positions. Nearly all of this can be fixed with better habits.

1. 1Focus breaks: 20-20-20Every 20 minutes, look into the distance for 20 seconds
2. 2Blinking and dry eyesFull blinks and preservative-free artificial tears
3. 3Your workspaceScreen at arm's length, slightly below eye level
4. 4Computer glasses and blue lightTired eyes by evening are a reason to check your glassesYour eyes don't need blue-light glasses

Nearsightedness in children is rising worldwide, and the earlier it starts, the stronger it will be by adulthood. The good news: you really can make a difference.

1. 1Two hours outdoors every day2 hours of daylight outdoors every day
2. 2Close-up work and screensA break after 30–40 minutes of reading or screen time
3. 3When to have their eyes checkedEye exams at age 1, age 3 and before school
4. 4If your child is already nearsightedUndercorrection doesn't help — full-strength glasses onlyAsk the doctor about myopia control

Contact lenses are a safe way to correct vision as long as you follow the rules. Almost all serious corneal infections in lens wearers come down to a handful of specific mistakes.

1. 1Don't sleep in your lensesNever sleep in your lenses
2. 2Water is your lenses' enemyNo water: not from the tap, the shower or the pool
3. 3The lens case and replacement scheduleFresh solution every time, a new case every 3 months
4. 4When to take out a lens and see a doctorRedness and pain — lenses out, see a doctor the same dayAlways keep a backup pair of glasses

The most common eye mistakes start at the pharmacy: “redness relief” drops for months, antibiotics “just in case” and steroids without an exam.

1. 1Drops “for red eyes”“Redness relief” drops — a couple of days at most
2. 2Antibiotics and steroids — only after an examAntibiotics and steroids — only after an examA bottle lasts 4 weeks after opening
3. 3How to put in eye dropsOne drop, close your eye and press the corner
4. 4Eyelids and makeupNew mascara every 3 months, remove makeup before bed

Most eye injuries happen at home and in the garage, not at work — and nearly all of them could have been prevented with a simple pair of safety glasses.

1. 1SunglassesSunglasses — UV400 only
2. 2Safety glasses at homeSafety glasses whenever you use power tools
3. 3Chemicals in the eyeChemicals — water right away, for 15–20 minutes
4. 4A blow, a speck, a cutDon't remove an embedded object, don't rub the eyeFlashes or a curtain after a blow — see a doctor today

Glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and early AMD show no signs for a long time. By the time vision loss is noticeable, some of it can't be recovered — so the key here is a regular exam schedule.

1. 1Exam scheduleA comprehensive exam at 40; after 65, every 1–2 years
2. 2Diabetes and blood pressureWith diabetes, a retinal exam once a year
3. 3Smoking, diet and vitaminsQuitting smoking is the best thing for your maculaAREDS2 only if a doctor has found AMD
4. 4Warning signsFlashes, a curtain, sudden vision loss — get help urgently