Regaining The "White" In The Whites Of Your Eyes

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If you've begun to notice that the whites of your eyes are looking more bloodshot, faded, or just plain dingy, even when you've been eating healthily and getting a good night's sleep, you may wonder whether there is anything you can do. Although the whites of one's eyes can tend to discolor with age, there are still some steps you can take to regain your youthful appearance. Read on to learn more about the causes of eye yellowing, as well as what you can do to stop this trend.

What Causes Scleral Discoloration? 

The whites of your eyes, or sclera, are ideally a bright white color. If you're suffering from allergies, lack of sleep, or environmental exposure to dust or dirt, your sclera may appear red and bloodshot, but this usually fades once you're no longer experiencing the conditions that led to this bloodshot appearance. In other cases, sudden trauma (like being hit in the eye with an object) can damage blood vessels, giving you a red or brown spot or streak that fades like a bruise.

But over time, exposure to environmental toxins, ultraviolet rays, smoke, and smog can lead to a more permanent yellowing of your sclera. Just as smoke from a candle or cigarette will cause walls or books to fade from white to a sickly yellow, smoke and radiation will transform the color of the outer layer of your eyes. This damage may not always be reversible, but there are some steps you can take to prevent it from growing worse over time.

Avoiding Permanent Damage to Your Sclera

Because environmental damage is one of the primary causes of yellowing sclera, taking stock of the toxins and radiation you encounter in your daily life and taking steps to minimize this exposure can go a long way toward preventing further damage.

If you work in a smoke- or chemical-heavy environment, it's crucial to always wear safety goggles. Not only does this protect your corneas from flying objects and debris, it protects your sclera from the chemicals wafting through the atmosphere.

Wearing UV-filtering sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hats whenever you're planning to spend time in the sun is also a good idea. Melanoma and other serious skin cancers can form in the eye — although this is rare. Protecting your eyes from UV rays is crucial from both a health and appearance perspective.

You'll also want to stop smoking if you smoke, and you'll want to avoid spending time in smoke-filled rooms. Many smokers who are unimpressed with the health benefits of quitting may be persuaded once they begin to notice the wrinkles, yellowing teeth and eyes, and other appearance-related byproducts of a cigarette habit.  

Contact an optometrist for more information or if you have concerns about the health of your eyes.

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6 June 2018

Going To The Eye Doctor

Do you remember the last time you thought about the quality of your vision? Although it can be easy to write off vision problems as a simple frustration, taking the time to visit your eye doctor might help you to take care of important aspects of your day to day life. In addition to making your vision more comfortable with the right pair of frames or the right contact lenses, going to the eye doctor might also help you to keep up with your overall eye care. If you have an undetected disease or illness, your eye doctor might mention it before it affects your health. Read this blog for more information.