When your eye is exposed to harmful microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi, it may lead to an infection. Both portions of the eyeball and the surrounding tissues can become infected, including the cornea and the moist membrane that lines the inner eyelids and outer eye.

You may start to notice symptoms like redness around the cornea, pain, and distress in the eye, and may include headaches, swelling, light sensitivity, watering, blurriness, dryness, itching, vision changes, etc. Some infections may not pose any serious threats but others can be dangerous and might lead to serious damage and a danger to your vision.

Your eyes are an important part of your health, but when it comes to hygiene, we often overlook proper care. "Your annual eye exam is the most important thing you can do for your vision," says Northwestern Medicine Ophthalmologist. "Most eye diseases are very treatable if caught early, which is why it's so important to get yearly eye exams and know your family history so that you can give yourself the chance to identify, monitor, and treat any eye disease as early as possible."

1Wash Your Hands

With as simple as washing hands you can save yourself a hectic day of eye discomfort. Clean hands ensure no pathogens get in your eyes. Avoid sharing personal items like towels, makeup or medicated eye drops to dissuade spreading bacteria to other people. Hygiene is also important for managing blepharitis which is the swelling of the eyelids that leads to inflamed, itchy.

2Eat healthily

Your eyes are an important part of your body. Keep your eyes healthy by eating a well-balanced diet. Gear up on different types of fruits and veggies, especially leafy greens like spinach, kale, and spinach. Fish like salmon and tuna have been shown to help your eyes, too. Good eye health starts with the right proportions of the right food. Nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zinc, and vitamins C and E might help thwart off age-related vision problems like macular degeneration and cataracts.

Ensure your daily intakes include;

• Green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, and collards Salmon, tuna, and other oily fish.

• Eggs, nuts, beans, and other nonmeat protein sources.

• Oranges and other citrus fruits or juices.

3Minimize blue light exposure

Too much exposure to blue light emitted by electronic devices is not healthy for the eye. The light causes unhealthy strain and may come to bite back later.

4Keep your eyes off your face

Often, to get an eye infection, a microorganism needs to get to your eye. By not touching your eyes unless necessary and avoiding excess rubbing, you can decrease your chances of getting an infection

By cleaning any material like towels that regularly contact your face, you can remove microorganisms that could cause an infection. Besides , if anyone close to using may have eye infections it is prudent to keep distant and avoid sharing bedding, towels, or clothing with anyone else until the infection is gone to limit the chance of transfer.

Rubbing your eyes is an instinctual response to tiredness or itchy eyes. It is a an essential reflex as it stimulates tear production, temporarily relieves itchiness, lubricates the eyes, and removes irritants. However, if your hands are unwashed, rubbing your eyes can put you at risk of chartering an infection, such as conjunctivitis or coronavirus. Dr. Khalil recommends exams for those with "excellent vision" once in their 20s and twice in their 30s. As you age, you're more likely to develop a problem. "The American Academy of Ophthalmology notes that, by age 65, one in three Americans will have a vision-impairing eye disease," she says. "Signs of these diseases can begin in midlife, but people often have no symptoms. The earlier these diseases are found and treated, the better the chances of preserving good vision.

5Do not abuse drugs

Research shows that smoking leads to damage of eye muscles and tiny blood vessels, thus increasing the risks of age-related macular degenerative cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, dry eye syndrome.