<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="696843" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="eye-drops">Eye drops</keyword> usually expire about one to two years after the manufacturing date. </li><li>However, once your eye drops are opened, you should throw them away after three months of use, as there is a greater risk of contamination. </li><li>You should never use eye drops after their expiration date, or after three months of use.</li><li>This article <a href="https://www.insider.com/insider-medical-review-board" target="_blank" rel="noopener">was medically reviewed</a> by <a href="https://health.tamu.edu/experts/jason-mcknight.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jason R. McKnight</a>, MD, MS, a family medicine physician and clinical assistant professor at <a href="https://medicine.tamu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Texas A&amp;M College of Medicine</a>. </li></ul><p><a href="https://www.insider.com/allergy-eye-drops" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Eye drops</a> are saline-based solutions with added medicines in them. Some eye drops can reduce redness or lubricate the eyes to minimize dryness, while others are meant to relieve itchiness from <keyword id="25918" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="allergies">allergies</keyword>. </p><p>There's no one-size-fits-all eye drop, just like there's no universal length of expiration. Generally, the expiration date is listed about one to two years after the date of manufacturing, but even the Food and Drug Administration says that this number can be <a href="https://www.drugs.com/article/drug-expiration-dates.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">arbitrary</a>. </p><p>Here's what you need to know about eye drops and when they expire. </p><h2>Yes, eye drops do expire — here's why</h2><p>Each type of eye drop will have a unique expiration date, and the ingredients will influence that date. </p><p>In Clear Eyes <a href="https://www.cleareyes.com/eye-drops/redness-relief/clear-eyes-redness-relief-eye-drops/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Redness Relief</a> eye drops, for example, the active chemical ingredients of glycerin (the lubricant) and naphazoline hydrochloride (the redness reliever) eventually break down, meaning they'll be less effective and safe. </p><p>Over time, these chemicals could degrade and change into potentially harmful compounds, says <a href="https://uihc.org/jaclyn-haugsdal" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jaclyn Haugsdal</a>, MD, a vision and eye care expert at the University of Iowa Hospitals &amp; Clinics. </p><p>In addition, many eye drops contain preservatives to help them last longer and stave off germ contamination. Most eye drops with preservatives will have an expiration date of at least one <a href="https://www.aao.org/eye-health/ask-ophthalmologist-q/how-long-after-opening-is-it-safe-to-use-eye-drops" target="_blank" rel="noopener">year</a> after manufacturing, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). </p><p>It's generally safe and effective to use these eye drops until their expiration date. However, the AAO says that if you've already opened the eye drops, they may have a much shorter shelf life, and you should throw them away three months after opening — even if it's before expiration. </p><p>That's because after opening eye drops, the <a href="http://www.plazavisioneyecare.com/blog/have-your-eye-drops-expired/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">exposure to oxygen</a> can accelerate the degradation of chemical ingredients and cause the solution to weaken. </p><p>Eye drops without preservatives (usually coming in single-use vials) should be thrown out 24 hours after opening. These are generally meant for one time use. </p><h2>Is it safe to use expired eye drops? </h2><p>The expiration date indicates when the eye drops are no longer guaranteed to be effective or sterile, says <a href="https://www.uclahealth.org/vivian-p-shibayama" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vivian Shibayama</a>, OD, an eye and vision care expert at UCLA <keyword id="6354750" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="health">Health</keyword>. </p><p>"I wouldn't use opened or unopened expired medications," Shibayama says. </p><p>Because the preservatives keeping the eye drops sterile have weakened over time, germs could contaminate the bottle after opening and cause eye infections, she says. </p><p>The chemical breakdown of other materials could also irritate your eyes. Other risks of using expired eye drops include redness and blurry vision due to the irritation from broken down chemicals, says Haugsdal, which is why she doesn't suggest using expired eye drops. </p><p><a href="https://www.brightfocus.org/glaucoma/article/10-tips-using-glaucoma-eye-drops" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Avoid</a> keeping eye drops in your car, pocket, or in direct sunlight, as high heat and light can <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2012/07/10/156575072/why-you-should-keep-medicines-out-of-summer-heat" target="_blank" rel="noopener">degrade</a> the chemical compounds in the drugs. A good way to know if eye drops are no longer good is if they look cloudy or change color in any way. </p><p>Overall, the general <a href="https://www.aao.org/eye-health/ask-ophthalmologist-q/how-long-after-opening-is-it-safe-to-use-eye-drops" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recommendation</a> for eye drops is as follows, according to the AAO:</p><ul><li>Discard eye drops three months after opening, as they could be contaminated</li><li>If unopened, use the medication up to the expiration date, and discard after</li></ul><h2>Related articles from our <a href="https://www.insider.com/health-reference" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Health Reference</a> library:</h2><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-put-in-eye-drops">How to put in eye drops correctly, in 2 different ways</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/what-are-antihistamines">What are antihistamines? How to use the best medication for seasonal allergy relief</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/allergy-medicine">How to determine which allergy medicine works best for you</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-get-rid-of-allergies">All the ways you can control your allergies, from air filters to saltwater rinses</a></strong></li></ul>

Do eye drops expire? Yes, and they expire more quickly once you open them

<p><strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/best-moisturizer-ingredients" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a></strong></p><ul class="summary-list"><li><strong>To grow your <keyword id="190594" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="eyelashes">eyelashes</keyword>, you can use a combination of home remedies and prescription medications. </strong></li><li><strong>Castor oil, bimatoprost, and removing eye makeup can help grow your <keyword id="36140" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="lashes">lashes</keyword>. </strong></li><li><strong>Lashes usually take two months to grow unless you have a condition like alopecia or skin cancer. </strong></li></ul><p>If you want longer, fuller eyelashes, you can take steps to help them grow. "It is possible to significantly increase the length and thickness of your eyelashes," says <a href="https://www.yalemedicine.org/specialists/brett_king" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brett King</a>, MD, a dermatologist at Yale Medicine. </p><p>Your eyelashes typically take around <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3036812/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">two months</a> to grow. However, <a href="https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/why-are-my-eyelashes-falling-out" target="_blank" rel="noopener">factors</a> like genetics, <keyword id="6354750" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="health">health</keyword> conditions, hygiene habits, and traumatic injuries can affect the growth of your eyelashes or cause you to lose your lashes. </p><p>Here are some steps you can take to get longer, thicker eyelashes. </p><h1><strong>Why won't my lashes grow?</strong></h1><p>Eyelashes typically grow much slower than the hair on your scalp. "Generally speaking, otherwise healthy eyelashes grow about 0.15 millimeters per day and are typically about seven millimeters long (beyond the skin). So, doing the math, it takes one to two months to grow a normal-length eyelash from scratch," says King. By contrast, the hair on your head can grow as fast as <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537278/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">1.1 millimeters</a> per day. </p><h2>Conditions that can affect eyelash growth or cause your lashes to fall out:</h2><ul><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/eyelash-mistakes-better-eyelashes-2018-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Poor hygiene habits</strong></a><strong>:</strong> Wearing expired makeup, sharing your makeup with others, sleeping with your makeup on, and neglecting to clean your makeup brushes are some of the habits that can irritate your eyes and affect your eyelashes.</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-know-if-hair-loss-is-serious-medical-problem-2019-6" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Alopecia areata</strong></a><strong>:</strong> Often hereditary, this condition is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when the body attacks its own hair follicles, resulting in hair loss.</li><li><a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/trichotillomania/symptoms-causes/syc-20355188" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Trichotillomania</strong></a>: Also referred to as hair-pulling disorder, this condition is characterized by strong, recurrent urges to pull out one's own hair. </li><li><a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/blepharitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20370141" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Blepharitis</strong></a><strong>:</strong> This condition occurs when the oil glands at the base of the eyelashes get clogged, resulting in redness, swelling, and irregularities in eyelash growth.</li><li><a href="https://www.columbiaeye.org/eye-library/eyelid-cancer" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Skin cancer</strong></a><strong>:</strong> The eyelid is easily damaged by exposure to the sun, making it one of the most common sites for skin cancer, which can result in the loss of eyelashes.</li><li><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9625246/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Trauma</strong></a><strong>:</strong> A traumatic event like an injury or a burn can cause you to lose your eyelashes, or they may have to be trimmed off after the fact to prevent eye irritation. Using heated eyelash curlers, or ripping out false eyelashes could also <a href="https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/why-are-my-eyelashes-falling-out" target="_blank" rel="noopener">harm your eyelashes</a>.</li></ul><p>If you have lost all your eyelashes, King says the underlying reason behind the hair loss can play a role in whether or not your eyelashes grow back. For instance, in the case of alopecia areata, loss of eyelashes may last months or years, according to King. </p><h1><strong>What helps your eyelashes grow?</strong></h1><p>If you do seek medical or cosmetic treatment for your eyelashes, King says there are medications that can help increase the length and thickness of eyelashes. It may take a few months for your eyelashes to grow back completely.</p><p>You should consult a specialist to determine what treatment options are available to you and what you can expect. There are also several <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/the-best-eyelash-serums-you-can-buy/articleshow/71713537.cms" target="_blank" rel="noopener">eyelash serums</a> available over the counter, that can help you get longer, thicker eyelashes as well as some natural home remedies you can try. </p><h2>What helps eyelashes grow:</h2><ul><li><strong>Bimatoprost solution:</strong> Bimatoprost solution is an FDA-approved prescription medication that can help increase the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21899919/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">length, thickness, and darkness</a> of eyelashes. "It has to be applied to the margins of your eyelids, from where your eyelashes grow," says King. You can expect to see noticeable results after eight weeks of treatment and maximum effect after 16 weeks, according to him. Some brand names of this solution include Lumigan and Latisse. </li><li><strong>Castor oil:</strong> <a href="https://www.insider.com/castor-oil-for-eyelashes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Castor oil</a> can help prevent loss of eyelashes by reducing your levels of prostaglandin D2 (PGD2), a type of fatty compound linked to hair loss. Castor oil also soothes inflammation caused by mascara and other eye makeup. Applying castor oil to your lashes can help condition the strands and thicken them. </li><li><strong>A nutritious diet:</strong> The <a href="https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/why-are-my-eyelashes-falling-out" target="_blank" rel="noopener">American Academy of Ophthalmology</a> recommends a nutritious diet with plenty of protein, iron, fruits, and vegetables to maintain healthy eyelash growth. <a href="https://www.insider.com/vitamins-for-hair-growth" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vitamins A, B, D, and E</a> are important vitamins for hair growth.</li><li><strong>Healthy hygiene habits:</strong> Your eyes are extremely sensitive to irritation and <a href="https://www.insider.com/eyelash-mistakes-better-eyelashes-2018-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">poor hygiene habits</a> can affect your eyelashes. Taking off all your makeup before you go to sleep, avoiding expired makeup, not sharing your makeup, and cleaning your makeup brushes and sponges regularly can help prevent inflammation. </li><li><strong>Conservative use of eyelash products: </strong>Frequently applying mascara and false eyelashes, using eyelash curlers, or exposing your eyelashes to products and treatments that involve a lot of chemicals can <a href="https://www.insider.com/eyelash-mistakes-better-eyelashes-2018-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">damage your eyelashes</a>. Instead, opt for a hydrating routine using castor oil or even petroleum jelly, for naturally healthier and fuller eyelashes.</li></ul><h1><strong>Insider's takeaway</strong></h1><p>If you want to enhance your lashes, or if you have a medical condition that is affecting eyelash growth, you should consult your healthcare provider for treatment options. In many cases, it is possible to improve eyelash length and thickness with prescription medication.  There are also over the counter products containing peptides and hyaluronic acid that may help. </p><p>You can also try home remedies like castor oil for healthier eyelashes. Practicing good hygiene habits and avoiding excessive use of mascara, false eyelashes, eyelash curlers, and other chemical products can help prevent damage to your eyelashes. </p><p>There are also cosmetic treatments, like eyelash extensions and false eyelashes, that can help you recreate the look of eyelashes in case you have <a href="https://breastcancernow.org/information-support/facing-breast-cancer/going-through-treatment-breast-cancer/side-effects/side-effects-chemotherapy/breast-cancer-hair-loss/hair-loss-eyelashes-eyebrows" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lost all your natural lashes</a>. You can also opt for these treatments to make your eyelashes appear longer and thicker.</p><h2>Related articles from <a href="https://www.insider.com/health-reference" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Health Reference</a>:</h2><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/what-causes-dark-circles-under-eyes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">6 causes of dark under-eye circles, according to a dermatologist</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/the-best-anti-aging-ingredients" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The best anti-aging ingredients, according to dermatologists</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/best-facial-cleanser-ingredients" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The best facial cleanser ingredients for each skin type, according to dermatologists</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/what-does-vitamin-c-do-for-the-skin" target="_blank" rel="noopener">5 skincare benefits of vitamin C</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/best-moisturizer-ingredients" target="_blank" rel="noopener">These are the best, most effective ingredients you should look for in a moisturizer</a></strong></li></ul>

5 tips to grow your eyelashes and how long it takes to see improvement

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Astigmatism occurs when the eye is shaped more like an oval than a sphere, which distorts the light that enters causing blurry <keyword id="6526661" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="vision">vision</keyword>.</li><li>Astigmatism is fairly common, affecting about one in three Americans and it occurs more frequently as you age.</li><li>Astigmatism causes blurry vision no matter what time of day, but it becomes more noticeable at night due to the contrast between dark and light.</li></ul><p>Astigmatism is an eye condition that causes blurry vision, especially in dim light. That's because astigmatism occurs when the eye is shaped more like an oval than a sphere, which distorts the light that enters. And when there's little light to begin with - like at dusk or night - visual cues are scarce which can exacerbate the problem.</p><p>"The cornea is not perfectly round. It's actually slightly oval. It's a very subtle difference, but it's important from a visual perspective," says Manhattan-based <a href="https://www.rfriedmanmd.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ophthalmologist Robert Friedman</a>. </p><p>Astigmatism is fairly common - it affects about one in three Americans, according to the<a href="https://www.aao.org/newsroom/eye-health-statistics#_edn17" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> American Academy of Ophthalmology</a>. And it occurs more frequently as you grow older. For example, <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/fullarticle/420707#nav" target="_blank" rel="noopener">an estimated</a> 23% of 20- to 39-year-olds, 28% of 40 to 59-year-olds, and 50% of those 60 and older have astigmatism.</p><p>The condition can occur with nearsightedness (<a href="https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/myopia-nearsightedness" target="_blank" rel="noopener">myopia</a>) or farsightedness (<a href="https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/hyperopia-farsightedness" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hyperopia</a>), and there are several methods to treat it. Learn more about astigmatism, how light affects the condition, and ways to help alleviate the symptoms.</p><h2>What is astigmatism? </h2><p>Astigmatism is one of four kinds of, what are called, refractive errors, in which the shape of the eye doesn't bend light correctly, causing blurred vision. The other types of refractive errors are: </p><ul><li><strong>Nearsightedness</strong>: Difficulty seeing unless objects are close to the <keyword id="25202" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="eyes">eyes</keyword>.</li><li><strong>Farsightedness</strong>: The ability to see clearly if objects are far away, but close-up vision is blurry.</li><li><a href="https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-presbyopia" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Presbyopia</strong></a>, or when you have trouble focusing on objects up close and need reading glasses. </li></ul><p>Patients can have more than one of these refractive conditions simultaneously. </p><h3>Corneal vs. lenticular astigmatism</h3><p>Most people are born with astigmatism. Usually, it's either because their cornea - the clear window in front of the eye - is more oval than round or their lenticular lens - is overly curved.</p><p>A person could have corneal or lenticular astigmatism or both. In some cases, experiencing distortions in the cornea and lens can counteract each other to cancel out the vision problems. In other cases, the two combined may exacerbate problems. </p><p>Both kinds of astigmatism can occur in one or both eyes, but corneal astigmatism is most common, says Friedman.</p><h2>How astigmatism affects light perception </h2><p>Ophthalmologists say blurry vision from astigmatism is the same no matter what time of day it is. However, blurry vision can become especially noticeable at night because of the contrast between light and dark. </p><p>"People will say, 'I have trouble driving at night, but not in the day.' And it's not that in the daytime, they don't have the refractive error, it's just that they're able to overcome it a lot easier than at night when there's less light," says <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-park-a5752314/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anna Park</a>, an ophthalmologist in the Martin P. Kolsky Group Chartered in Washington, DC, and an attending physician at the Washington Hospital Center. </p><p>The reason vision may not be as blurry during the day is because there's less light for your eye to focus. To compensate, the pupil dilates to let in more light. A larger pupil means more of the cornea and lens are being used to focus the light. Using more of these surfaces increases the symptoms of astigmatism or other refractive errors.</p><p>"Night vision is the same as day vision, it's just that the light rays aren't focused on your retina as they should be, so the picture you get is blurred and distorted. In general, in lower light, refractive errors come out more often," says Park. </p><p>Most astigmatisms are mild, Chan says. "So people may not notice the problem during the day. But at night, lights - headlights, stop signs - will seem to come at you." </p><p>As an aside, Park says that it's important to note that screens and <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/astigmatism/symptoms-causes/syc-20353835" target="_blank" rel="noopener">devices don't cause astigmatism</a> or have any effect on them since it's a physical condition of the eye's shape and not based on behavior.</p><h2>Symptoms of astigmatism</h2><p>Experts agree the main symptom of astigmatism is not seeing clearly. That may then cause other symptoms, including:</p><ul><li><strong>Blurred vision at all distances:</strong> People with astigmatism may complain of blurred vision for objects both up close and far away, says Park. </li><li><strong>Eyestrain and headaches: </strong>"Eyes muscles are trying to focus, and if things are not clear, you can get eyestrain," Park says. This may lead to headaches.</li><li><strong>Streaky vision: </strong>Astigmatism may cause lights to seem streaky, says <a href="https://www.vickichanmd.com/about-vicki" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vicki Chan</a>, an ophthalmologist at Kaiser Permanente in Los Angeles. While viewing an eye chart in a doctor's office, the "E" may appear offset, or the chart letters may look like one is on top of the other, as opposed to the overall blurriness of other conditions.</li><li><strong>Circular lights appear as ovals: </strong>"If you look at a circular light from far away and it [has] an ovoid distortion to it, that would be astigmatism," Friedman tells Insider. But ovoid, or oval, distortions are often difficult to perceive, he says.  </li><li><strong>Difficulty functioning at certain distances</strong>: Just because a person has astigmatism, doesn't mean all tasks will be impacted similarly. Some people may be able to read if their astigmatism aligns in a certain direction, Friedman says, but have problems with other tasks that require seeing from far away. </li></ul><h2>How to treat astigmatism</h2><p>If you have a history of vision problems, it may be time to consult a professional.</p><p>"When we prescribe glasses or contacts, what we're doing is providing a prescription that'll help focus the light coming into the eye and to the <a href="https://www.aao.org/eye-health/anatomy/retina-103" target="_blank" rel="noopener">retina</a> so that the picture is clear," says Park. </p><p>Chan agrees. "Any time you have blurred vision, you should see a doctor because a lot of things have similar symptoms," she says. Here are a few common ways astigmatism is treated:</p><ul><li><strong>Glasses</strong>: Prescription glasses refocus the images and lights to correct astigmatism, says Chan. Tinted glasses reduce some glare but won't help with astigmatism.</li><li><strong>Contact lenses:</strong> If it's strong enough to require contacts, <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8576-astigmatism/management-and-treatment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">toric lenses</a> have two light-bending powers that cross perpendicularly to treat astigmatism. </li><li><strong>Laser surgery</strong>:<a href="https://www.aao.org/eye-health/treatments/lasik" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Lasik</a> laser surgery can be used to correct astigmatism. If a patient has corneas deemed too thin for Lasik, photorefractive keratectomy (<a href="https://www.aao.org/eye-health/treatments/photorefractive-keratectomy-prk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PRK</a>) is an option. </li></ul><h2>Insider's takeaway</h2><p>Blurred vision at all distances, eye strain that causes headaches, and streaky vision are a few key signs of astigmatism. Most people are born with astigmatism but in rarer cases, astigmatism can be caused by <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17525647/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">trauma</a>.</p><p>In general, in lower light, refractive errors come out more often, which is why people with astigmatism may have trouble seeing or driving at night. The condition exists in the daytime, too, it's just exacerbated by the dark.</p><p>Chan says there are no natural home remedies for vision problems, and instead you'll need glasses or contacts to help focus the light to your eye. Surgery is also an option, for more severe cases. </p><p>Moreover, <a href="https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-and-vision-conditions/astigmatism?sso=y" target="_blank" rel="noopener">astigmatism may change</a> - for the better or worse - with age, so it's important that if you have blurred vision, it's best to see a healthcare professional for a diagnosis</p><h2>Related articles from <a href="https://www.insider.com/health-reference" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Health Reference</a>:</h2><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/what-are-fat-soluble-vitamins" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The different types of fat-soluble vitamins - and how to get enough of them</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/what-is-vitamin-b6-good-for" target="_blank" rel="noopener">7 science-backed benefits of vitamin B6 </a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/vitamins-for-hair-growth" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The best vitamins to help your hair's growth, thickness, and overall health.</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/vitamin-b12-benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener">5 science-backed benefits of vitamin B12 and how to get enough of it</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/what-does-vitamin-c-do" target="_blank" rel="noopener">What does vitamin c do? 5 science-backed benefits of vitamin C</a></strong></li></ul>

Why astigmatism causes blurry vision, especially at night

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5acb6f4d146e712a008b4615-1777/rtx4hvpp.jpg" border="0" alt="Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan" data-mce-source="Reuters" data-mce-caption="Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan" /><p class="source"><span>Reuters</span></p><p class="caption">Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><ul class="summary-list"><li>Novartis' drug brolucizumab just showed that it wasn't any worse than a rival drug called Eylea at treating an eye condition known as age-related macular degeneration. </li><li>It confirmed what the company had previously found after one year, that Novartis' drug was also better at reducing retinal thickness and retinal fluid compared to Eylea, two factors that are key in reducing the symptoms of the disease. </li><li>Novartis plans to submit brolucizumab for FDA review by the end of 2018. </li></ul><p><br />Novartis is gearing up to shake up a huge eye-drug market. </p><p>In data presented Saturday at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual conference, Novartis' drug brolucizumab showed that it wasn't any worse than Eylea, an existing drug to treat a condition called age-related macular degeneration. The pair of late-stage trials evaluated brolucizumab over two years.</p><p>With this data in hand, Novartis plans to submit brolucizumab to the FDA for approval before the end of the year, with a potential approval in 2019. </p><p>If approved, brolucizumab would go up against Eylea and Lucentis, two treatments for AMD developed by Regeneron and Genentech/Novartis respectively that are part of the <a href="https://www.globaldata.com/store/report/gdhc165pidr--age-related-macular-degeneration-global-drug-forecast-and-market-analysis-to-2026/">$4.9 billion</a> global macular degeneration market. The drugs are all injected into the eye. Novartis' new drug would be given once every three months, while Eylea is injected once every eight weeks. </p><p>The trial also confirmed what the company had previously found in a shorter study: that Novartis' drug was also better at reducing retinal thickness and retinal fluid compared to Eylea, two factors that are important in reducing the symptoms of the disease.</p><p>Age-related macular degeneration is a leading cause of vision loss in the US in people over 50, <a href="https://nei.nih.gov/health/maculardegen/armd_facts">according to the National Eye Institute</a>. It affects more than <a href="https://nei.nih.gov/eyedata/amd">2 million Americans</a> and an estimated 20-25 million globally, blurring their vision and making it harder to drive, read, and recognize faces. Patients can live with AMD for years, which means getting information on how the new drug works over time is key. </p><p>"It is important to also be able to tell the community what happens when you follow people for another year," Novartis Pharmaceuticals chief medical officer Shreeram Aradhye told Business Insider. </p><p>Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/novartis-brolucizumab-study-results-for-age-related-macular-degeneration-2017-11">told Business Insider in 2017</a> the development of brolucizumab is part of the "next chapter of innovation at the company" for eye conditions.</p><p><strong>See also: </strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trumps-plan-to-bring-down-drug-prices-in-medicare-part-b-2018-10">Trump's newest plan to drive down drug prices to fight 'global freeloaders' sounds exactly like what a lot of those 'freeloaders' are already doing</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/astrazeneca-president-ruud-dobber-on-growth-and-ma-2018-10">AstraZeneca has lost $12 billion in revenue in the past few years - the drugmaker's president lays out its plan to get back to growth</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/samumed-osteoarthritis-phase-2b-data-2018-10">Samumed, a $12 billion startup that wants to cure baldness and smooth out your wrinkles, just released promising data on its lead drug to treat osteoarthritis</a></li></ul>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/einstein-reveals-manipulate-time-2016-3">This mind-melting thought experiment of Einstein's reveals how to manipulate time</a></h3>        <div>            <iframe class="bijwplayerclass" data-player="jwplayer" src="https://content.jwplatform.com/players/34R9tAUr-CEZHWCBG.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" style="margin:0px;" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><script>function receiveMessage(event){ console.log(event.data.fullscreen); Android.fullscreen(event.data.fullscreen); }window.addEventListener("message", receiveMessage, false);</script>        </div>    </div>

Novartis is going after a $5 billion market with a new treatment for vision loss. That's a big threat to Regeneron

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Styes are caused by infected oil glands on your eyelids, which form a red bump that resembles acne. </li><li>Poor <keyword id="6387522" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="hygiene">hygiene</keyword>, old makeup, and certain medical or <keyword id="6371970" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="skin">skin</keyword> conditions can increase your risk for styes. </li><li>To get rid of a stye, you can gently wash your eyelids, use a warm compress, and try antibiotic ointments. </li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Insider's homepage for more stories</a>.</li></ul><p>A <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/styes-and-chalazions-a-to-z">stye</a> is a red bump that forms on the eyelid and can look and feel like a big pimple. This bump often <a href="https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=85&amp;ContentID=P010751075">feels</a> swollen and painful to the touch. Styes are basically like acne that occurs on the eyelid, says <a href="https://healthcare.utah.edu/fad/mddetail.php?physicianID=u1008804&amp;name=amy-lin-lin">Amy Lin</a>, MD, an <a href="https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/what-is-ophthalmologist">ophthalmologist</a> at the University of Utah <keyword id="6354750" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="health">Health</keyword>.</p><p>Though styes can happen to anyone, there are certain behaviors that increase your risk. Here's what you need to know about the main causes of styes, how to prevent them, and what to do if you have one. </p><h2>What causes a stye</h2><p>Styes are caused by infected oil glands in your eyelids. These <a href="https://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/meibomian-gland.htm">oil glands</a> prevent tears from evaporating too quickly and drying out your eyes, but these glands can also become infected with bacteria. </p><p>There's one particular bacterium that leads to stye infections: <a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/hordeolum-stye"><em>Staphylococcus aureus</em></a>. According to <a href="https://www.dukehealth.org/find-doctors-physicians/tina-k-singh-md">Tina Singh</a>, MD, an ophthalmologist at Duke Eye Center, it's one of the most common bacteria on the skin, eyelids, and eyelashes, and can clog the oil glands. </p><p>While the bacterium is found in <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5983722/">20 to 30%</a> of human nasal cavities without harm, you can also pick it up by <a href="https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/infections/bacterial-infections-gram-positive-bacteria/staphylococcus-aureus-infections">touching</a> surfaces infected with it, and <em>S. aureus </em>can become a pathogen itself when it gets under the skin, causing skin infections. </p><p>There a few reasons why people tend to get styes: </p><ul><li><strong>Poor hygiene.</strong> Rubbing your eyes when you haven't washed your hands can lead to styes. "We carry a lot of bacteria on our hands, and that's easily transmissible to our eyelids and eyelashes," Singh says. Improper contact lens hygiene can also lead to styes, as it puts bacteria closer to the eyelids, so it's important to disinfect contact daily. "We don't recommend sleeping with contacts as well because bacteria love moist, dark environments," she says. </li><li><strong>Chlorine or sweat</strong>. "People should rinse their eyelids after getting out of a pool," Singh says, in addition to hot tubs, as there are <a href="https://www.eyedolatryblog.com/2015/07/treating-red-eye-and-irritation.html">chlorine-resistant bacteria</a> that can cause eye infections. If you sweat from exercise or other activities, she says you should wash your eyelids after, as <a href="http://www.drguggino.com/best-ways-handle-common-eye-injuries/">sweat</a> and oil can clog the eyelid's oil glands and lead to infection.</li><li><strong>Makeup.</strong> "Lash extensions really attract a lot of dirt and bacteria, which can clog the [oil] glands," says Singh. "And makeup is the same way. Makeup really attracts a lot of dirt and bacteria," which can lead to oil gland infections on the eyelid and cause styes. The Cleveland Clinic recommends replacing eye makeup every <a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/styes-can-avoid-best-treatment-tips/">six months</a> to avoid an overgrowth of stye-causing bacteria. </li><li><strong>Skin conditions. </strong>"Some people with acne have a condition called <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rosacea/symptoms-causes/syc-20353815?utm_source=Google&amp;utm_medium=abstract&amp;utm_content=Rosacea&amp;utm_campaign=Knowledge-panelwledge-panel">rosacea</a>, which can actually affect the eyes and can make them prone to have more styes," Lin says. Rosacea affects about <a href="https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/what-is-ocular-rosacea#1">13 million</a> Americans, and it involves broken blood vessels under the skin which can produce small, pus-filled bumps. The condition can occur on the eyes as well, called ocular rosacea, which <a href="https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/what-is-ocular-rosacea#1">can lead to</a> blocked oil glands around the eyes. <a href="https://chicago.medicine.uic.edu/departments/academic-departments/ophthalmology-visual-sciences/our-department/media-center/eye-facts/blepharitis-stye-chalazion/">Seborrheic dermatitis</a> can also <a href="https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/chalazion-stye-risk">increase</a> your risk of styes, which is a chronic inflammatory <keyword id="1269453" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="skin-condition">skin condition</keyword> that can lead to eyelid swelling and oily secretions.</li><li><strong>Medical conditions.</strong> Both Lin and Singh say that blepharitis can increase the risk of developing styes. <a href="https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/blepharitis">Blepharitis</a> causes eyelid inflammation and can often lead to excessive tearing, light sensitivity, redness of the eye, and a feeling like there's something in your eye. The condition also makes your eyelids <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/what-can-i-do-about-blepharitis">prone to infection</a>, which can lead to styes. High blood sugar <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/08/150806151354.htm">can also cause</a> a production of molecules that suppress immune defenses, so those with uncontrolled diabetes are more prone to infections, and may have a <a href="https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/s/stye.html">higher risk</a> for styes. </li></ul><h2>How to get rid of a stye</h2><p>"Some people have a tendency to get styes," Lin says, which could be due in part to the aforementioned poor hygiene, makeup, or medical conditions. "So if you've had styes in the past, you are more prone to get styes in the future. It doesn't really confer any resistance."</p><p>If styes keep recurring, you might consider <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17658-sty-stye/management-and-treatment">treating it with</a> antibiotic ointment, eye drops, pills, or even a steroid injection, according to the Cleveland Clinic.  </p><p>To prevent getting styes in the first place, it's imperative to practice proper lid hygiene. Washing your whole face isn't enough, Singh says, and so you instead have to target your eyelids to get rid of styes. </p><p>Singh recommends washing your eyelids with baby shampoo (it's designed to <a href="https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/stye.html">be less harmful on your eyes</a>) and warm water to clean along lash margin where styes tend to form. </p><p>If you've still developed a stye, though, there are ophthalmologist-recommended ways to safely get rid of them. </p><p>"Really, the best way is lots of warm compresses over the eyelids," says Lin. "Adding heat can get the oil glands to unclog and get them to release their oils naturally." </p><p>To do a <a href="https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/chalazion-stye-treatment">warm compress</a>, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, you should:</p><ul><li>Take a clean washcloth and soak it in hot water. <a href="https://nyulangone.org/conditions/stye-in-adults/treatments/home-treatment-for-stye">Wring it out</a> so that it's not dripping.  </li><li>Hold it to your eyelid for 10 to 15 minutes. If the cloth gets cold, warm it up again by dipping it in warm water. </li><li>Do this three to five times a day. </li></ul><p>"It's not recommended to try and squeeze [a stye]," Lin says. "Because that could actually cause us to get more inflamed and actually get worse." Instead, she says to let a stye run its course of about two to three weeks, using warm compresses to expedite the healing process. </p><p>While styes will typically clear up on their own, Singh notes that you should see a doctor if your stye causes vision problems. While a stye won't affect your eyeball, it can become so swollen it droops down into your eyesight. </p><h1>See other <a href="https://www.insider.com/health-reference">health explainers</a>:</h1><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/does-stress-cause-acne">Stress doesn't cause acne, but it can increase your risk for breakouts</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/how-stress-hurts-your-skin-2019-5">12 ways your skin can react to stress, according to a dermatologist</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/does-pregnancy-cause-acne">Yes, pregnancy can cause acne but there are safe ways to treat it</a></strong></li></ul>Read the original article on <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-causes-a-stye">Insider</a>

What causes a stye and the best ways to get rid of one

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="9264570" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="blue-light-glasses">Blue light glasses</keyword> are designed to filter out the blue light emitted by screens, but not all <keyword id="332" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Glasses">glasses</keyword> filter out the same amount of blue light.</li><li>Blue light glasses do not prevent eye strain from electronics, but studies suggest they may help promote better sleep.</li><li>Consumer Reports tested three pairs of blue light glasses and found that the least expensive pair blocked the most amount of blue light.</li><li><strong> This article was <a href="https://www.insider.com/insider-medical-review-board" target="_blank" rel="noopener">medically reviewed</a> by <a href="https://www.memorialcare.org/providers/benjamin-b-bert" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Benjamin Bert</a>, MD, ophthalmologist at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California.</strong></li></ul><p>Blue light glasses are designed to filter out blue light from screens such as your phone, computer, and TV. Lately, blue light has gotten a bad reputation. Because studies show that it affects our circadian rhythm, which can disrupt sleeping patterns. </p><p>However, blue light glasses claim to do more than just help people sleep. They can purportedly reduce eye strain and prevent screen-induced headaches, too. </p><p>That sounds great if you're someone who feels tired or fatigued after working all day in front of a computer screen. But since blue light glasses can cost anywhere from tens to hundreds of dollars, you might want to know what the research says first.</p><h2><strong>Do blue light glasses work?</strong></h2><p>Blue light glasses will not help you with eye strain, says Relief Jones, III, MD, a board-certified ophthalmologist and medical director at the<a href="http://sanantonioeyeinstitute.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> San Antonio Eye &amp; Face Institute</a>. That's because, "the symptoms of 'eyestrain' that is experienced by individuals using electronics for an excessive amount of time are due to dry eyes syndrome."</p><p>People tend to blink less frequently when they're staring at a screen. Blinking helps keep your eyes moist, so when you blink less it can, "cause an increase in glare, pain, tearing, red eyes and even blurry vision," says Jones.</p><p>In other words, your eyestrain is caused by <em>your</em> blinking response and nothing to do with the blue light emitted by the screen. Therefore, blue light glasses will not fix this problem. The one issue blue light glasses may help with is your sleep.</p><p>"Blue light from electronics trick the brain into thinking that it's still daytime, so melatonin production is inhibited. This can lead to difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep," Jones says.</p><p>That's why, in his practice, Jones says that he advises patients to use blue light glasses primarily to combat sleep problems. Kids, in particular, can benefit from using blue light glasses, since children's still-developing eyes <a href="https://nationalcenter.preventblindness.org/blue-light-and-your-eyes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">absorb more blue light</a> than adults.</p><p><a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.3109/07420528.2015.1119158?scroll=top&amp;needAccess=truetrue" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Blue light glasses may also be helpful </a>for adults at night. One small study, published in Chronobiology International, found that adults who used blue-light blocking glasses for two hours pre-bedtime fell asleep faster and slept better than those who didn't.</p><p>And another study,<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20030543" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> published by the same journal,</a> found that those who had trouble sleeping slept better after using blue-light blocking glasses for three hours before they went to sleep than those who used glasses that blocked just ultraviolet light.  </p><h2><strong>Should I buy blue light glasses?</strong></h2><p>The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) <a href="https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/are-computer-glasses-worth-it" target="_blank" rel="noopener">does not recommend</a> blue light glasses — or any other special eyewear for screen use. It states that "many eye symptoms caused by computer use are only temporary and will lessen after you stop using the computer."</p><p>If you're suffering from persistent eye strain or soreness, it may be a sign of a more severe condition and you should seek medical advice. The AAO recommends everyone visit an ophthalmologist for a basic eye exam by the time they are 40. </p><p>Moreover, blue light glasses are not marketed as a medical device. Therefore, the FDA does not impose any regulations on these products, which means any <keyword id="6354750" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="health">health</keyword> claims from manufacturers don't have to be backed by scientific evidence. </p><p>All of that said, there's anecdotal evidence that blue light glasses work for some people. Therefore, it's ultimately a choice of whether it's worth spending the money. But you may not always get what you pay for, according to a <a href="https://www.consumerreports.org/eyeglass-stores/3-blue-blockers-put-to-the-test/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">review by Consumer Reports</a>.</p><p>If you're looking for a better night's sleep, then you'll want glasses that block as much blue light as possible. Consumer Reports tested three glasses: One for $8, $40, and $53. The $8 pair by Uvex Skyper blocked the most blue light of the three pairs.</p><p>In the end, it may be worth trying some other methods for getting better sleep or preventing eyestrain.</p><h2><strong>How to prevent eye strain</strong></h2><p>Instead of opting for blue light glasses, Jones offers the following tips to keep dry eyes at bay.</p><ul><li>Take breaks during screen time.</li><li>Consider using artificial tears to help re-moisten the eyes. </li><li>Try not to use your devices while near a vent or a ceiling fan.</li></ul><p>The AAO also has a few <a href="https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/are-computer-glasses-worth-it" target="_blank" rel="noopener">more recommendations</a> including:</p><ul><li>Follow the 20-20-20 rule where every 20 minutes you move your eyes to an object that's 20 feet away for 20 seconds or longer.</li><li>Don't work in a dark room and increase the contrast on your screen.</li><li>Use a matte screen filter to minimize screen glare.</li></ul><p>Don't hesitate to consult an ophthalmologist if none of these methods help. You and the doctor can work together to root out the source of the pain and take steps to get you some relief.</p><h2 id="related-articles-from-our-health-reference-library:">Related articles from our <a href="https://www.insider.com/health-reference" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Health Reference</a> library:</h2><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/what-causes-night-sweats">4 common causes of night sweats and when to be concerned</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/is-white-rice-bad-for-you">White rice spikes blood sugar levels and 'has almost the same effect as eating pure table sugar' according to Harvard Medical School</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/what-is-fodmap-intolerance">FODMAP intolerance is when certain carbohydrates cause digestive issues that can lead to gas, bloating, diarrhea, and more</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-clean-toothbrush">5 tips to clean your toothbrush and keep it germ-free</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/what-is-kawasaki-disease">What is Kawasaki disease? How to recognize the symptoms in your child</a></strong></li></ul>Read the original article on <a href="https://www.insider.com/do-blue-light-glasses-work">Insider</a>

Blue light glasses can improve sleep quality but you may not always get what you pay for

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Insider asked <keyword id="29496" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Makeup">makeup</keyword> artists, beauty-industry pros, and dermatologists for the <keyword id="1737313" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Best-and-Worst">best and worst</keyword> <keyword id="2433816" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="beauty-trends">beauty trends</keyword> of 2020.</li><li>One expert said bold, colorful eyeshadow works well with face masks.</li><li>Makeup that has beneficial skin-care properties is also a winning 2020 trend. </li><li>One pro is hoping eyelash extensions disappear in 2021 because they can be hard to maintain and come with risks.</li></ul><p>This year has been full of changes, and <keyword id="6354629" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="beauty">beauty</keyword> trends have been no exception. </p><p>Insider asked <a href="https://www.insider.com/things-people-who-work-in-beauty-stores-hate-2020-2">makeup experts</a> and dermatologists for their favorite beauty trends of the year so far, plus which ones they'll be happy to leave in 2020.</p><p>Read on to see the best and <a href="https://www.insider.com/worst-beauty-trends-of-the-past-decade-2019-11">worst ones. </a></p><h2><strong>Bold eyeshadow can perfectly complement a face mask</strong></h2><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/doreenbloch/">Doreen Bloch</a>, executive director of the <a href="https://makeupmuseum.com">Makeup Museum</a> in New York City, told Insider that bright and bold eyeshadows are one of her favorite makeup trends of the year. </p><p>"Thanks to mask wearing in 2020, the spotlight has been placed on the eyes," said Bloch. "Beauty lovers of all ages and styles are embracing bolder colors on their eyelids and I love it."</p><p>If you're hesitant about sporting bright eyeshadow, try sweeping a deeper, saturated hue across your lids such as burgundy, emerald green, or navy blue.</p><p><strong><div type="image" title="applying mascara colorful eyeshadow" height="2657" width="3543" msid="79395235" hostid="261"></div></strong></p><h2><strong>Bakuchiol is a rising anti-aging star</strong></h2><p>Retinol has dominated the anti-aging scene for years, but bakuchiol - a plant-based retinol alternative - has <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/bakuchiol-skin-care-products">recently moved into the spotlight.</a></p><p>"Bakuchiol is gentler than retinol and helps to even skin complexion," said Bloch. "Plus it's safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding, while retinol <a href="https://www.marchofdimes.org/pregnancy/isotretinoin-and-other-retinoids-during-pregnancy.aspx">is not</a>."</p><p>The bakuchiol used in cosmetics is usually extracted from parts of the <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/life/wellness/everything-you-need-to-know-about-bakuchiol-the-buzzy-ingredient-that-s-being-compared-to-retinol-1.5021457">Psoralea corylifolia plant</a> and <a href="https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/jmf.2009.1207">has been shown</a> to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. </p><h2><strong>Makeup as <keyword id="40573" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="skin-care">skin care</keyword> is an enduring beauty trend</strong></h2><p>Emmy-nominated makeup artist <a href="https://uttermusings.com/about-makeup-artist-kerrin-jackson-utter-musings-beauty-tips-art-travel-gardening/">Kerrin Jackson</a> told Insider that she approves of next-generation makeup that doubles as skin care. </p><p>"I'm 100% behind makeup products that <a href="https://www.insider.com/flight-attendants-recommended-beauty-products-2019-10">contain skin-care ingredients</a>," said Jackson. "I love the idea of healing skin with products used to decorate it." </p><p>Products that straddle the line between makeup and skin care include BB and CC creams, sheer lip balms with a hint of color, and primers with moisturizing properties. </p><h2><strong>Barely-there makeup continues to be popular </strong></h2><p>Minimal makeup looks have been popular for a while, and celebrity makeup artist <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jamiemakeup/">Jamie Greenberg</a> told Insider that she doesn't see this trend slowing down. </p><p>"I love the look of <a href="https://www.insider.com/do-kylie-skin-products-actually-work-2019-6">clean, breathable skin</a>," she said. "People seem to be more interested than ever in achieving a bare-faced makeup style."</p><p>Greenberg recommended using a damp makeup sponge to apply liquid foundation <a href="https://www.insider.com/foundation-mistakes-that-are-ruining-your-makeup-2018-6">if you want to achieve a dewy, natural look. </a></p><h2><strong>Dermatologists have been loving products designed to protect against pollution</strong></h2><p>Dermatologist <a href="https://www.mdcsnyc..com/provider/marisa-k-garshick-md">Marisa Garshick</a> told Insider that she's on board with new skin-care products designed to shield skin from harmful pollution, which <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2014.00011/full">has been linked</a> to allergic reactions, acne, and even skin cancer. </p><p>"More products are being formulated to protect the skin from pollution, which may lead to free radical damage and negative skin changes," said Garshick.</p><h2><strong>Applying natural-looking blush is back in style</strong></h2><p>Greenberg told Insider that dramatic contouring took a backseat to a more natural blush application this year. </p><p>"Natural glow on the cheeks came back in a major way in 2020. Less is definitely more when it comes to blush," she said. </p><p>Choosing a buildable, blendable blush color that closely matches the color of your naturally flushed skin is key to achieving a subtle rosy glow. </p><p><strong><div type="image" title="blush makeup display" height="2300" width="3060" msid="79395239" hostid="261"></div></strong></p><h2><strong>Niacinamide is a trending skin-care ingredient that's likely to stick around</strong></h2><p>There's been a lot of beauty buzz around <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-niacinamide-serums">niacinamide</a>, a form of vitamin B3 with the potential to soothe skin, hydrate it, and make it look more even. </p><p>"Niacinamide supports the skin barrier, reducing inflammation and redness caused by acne and rosacea," said Garshick. </p><h2><strong>On the other hand, lash extensions can damage your natural lashes</strong></h2><p>Dermatologist <a href="https://smartstyletoday.com/about/#advisors">Anna H. Chacon</a>, advisor for Smart Style Today, told Insider that she's ready for the lash-extension trend to fade away. </p><p>"Lash extensions are my least favorite beauty trend of 2020," said Chacon. "They're so high-maintenance and can weaken your natural lashes over time."</p><p>Getting extensions can also come with some <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/eye-health/eyelash-extensions-pros-and-cons#risks">negative side effects</a>, like swelling or allergic reactions to the glue. </p><p>If you're longing for lusher lashes, an ophthalmologist-approved mascara or lash regrowth serum can help you achieve a similar look with less fuss. </p><h2><strong>Floating eyeliner can be hard to pull off</strong></h2><p>The floating eyeliner trend involves <a href="https://www.insider.com/ariana-grandes-beauty-routine-2018-8">applying eyeliner</a> above the natural lash line on the upper eyelid.</p><p>The technique popped up on beauty blogs and catwalks in 2020, but Jackson dismissed the avant-garde look as difficult to wear. </p><p>"Unless you're on a runway, you shouldn't attempt to wear a line halfway up your eyelid," said Jackson. "It usually ends up looking like your eyeliner transferred upwards because you opened your eyes before the product was dry."</p><div type="image" title="pots of glitter sparkles makeup" height="2666" width="3554" msid="79395243" hostid="261"></div><h2><strong>Even biodegradable glitter can be bad for the environment</strong></h2><p>Some beauty fans may already know that conventional glitter and glittery makeup products <a href="https://www.insider.com/why-glitter-is-bad-for-the-environment-2019-3">can harm the environment</a>, but Boch noted that even glitter marketed as "eco-friendly" can be bad for the planet. </p><p>"New reports show that even biodegradable glitter ends up in rivers and oceans," said Bloch. </p><p><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0304389420320604?via%3Dihub">For example, a recent study set to be</a> published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials suggests that biodegradable glitter can also cause damage in aquatic ecosystems.</p><h2><strong>Eyeball tattoos are a potentially dangerous beauty trend</strong></h2><p>This eyeball modification, also known as a scleral tattoo, involves applying ink directly to the white of the eye. The trend made headlines throughout 2020 for causing <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/offbeat/model-loses-eyesight-after-getting-eyeballs-tattooed-black-2189043">blindness</a> and getting <a href="https://leaderpost.com/news/saskatchewan/saskatchewan-bans-eyeball-tattoos">banned</a> in some parts of the world.</p><p>"These kinds of eye tattoos can potentially result in blindness or long-term damage to the eye," said Bloch. </p><p>According to the <a href="https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/eyeball-tattoos-are-even-worse-than-they-sound">American Academy of Ophthalmology</a>, scleral tattoos can cause a temporary or permanent decrease in vision, retinal detachment, infection, light sensitivity, and a persistent feeling that something is in the eye. </p><p>In extreme cases, botched scleral tattoos can lead to the <a href="https://www.livescience.com/60572-eyeball-tattoo-risks.html">loss of the entire eye.</a></p><div type="image" title="purple gel nails manicure design" height="2994" width="3992" msid="79395249" hostid="261"></div><h2><strong>Japanese hard gel nails can be difficult to remove</strong></h2><p>Japanese hard gel manicures utilize <a href="https://www.elle.com.au/beauty/japanese-gel-nails-22867">cosmetic-grade products</a> to create vivid designs that can last longer than other manicure types. </p><p>Unfortunately, Chacon said, this kind of gel treatment can be tough to properly maintain, especially if you want to try it at home and don't have access to a pro. </p><p>"It's very difficult to remove <a href="https://www.insider.com/bad-nail-habits-ruining-your-nails-2018-10">if not done by an expert with the right tools</a>, and there are extremely few salons equipped to do it correctly," said Chacon. </p><h2><strong>At-home pimple extractions may damage the skin</strong></h2><p>Garshick told Insider that attempting dermatological treatments on your own <a href="https://www.insider.com/things-that-happen-when-you-pop-your-pimples-2018-10">can lead to skin damage</a>. </p><p>"The occasional facial can be <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-figure-out-your-skin-type-2019-4">a great way to pamper yourself</a>, but it's best not to pop your own pimples or pick at your skin," said Garshick.</p><p>Scheduling a virtual consultation with a dermatologist may be a safer way to address skin concerns without leaving your home.</p><p><strong>Read More:</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.insider.com/the-best-and-worst-fashion-trends-of-the-year-2020-2">Stylists reveal the best and worst fashion trends of the year, so far</a></p><p><a href="https://www.insider.com/wedding-advice-best-and-worst-trends-2021">6 wedding trends that will start to disappear by 2021, and 9 you'll see everywhere</a></p><p><a href="https://www.insider.com/the-most-popular-films-released-in-2020-reviewed-ranked">31 of the most popular movies of the year, ranked from worst to best</a></p>

7 beauty trends experts want to disappear by 2021, and 6 you'll probably see everywhere

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The classic "good screen, bad screen" meme illustrates the way that we perceive technology used for productivity versus leisure.</li><li><keyword id="58679" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Quarantine">Quarantine</keyword> has erased some of the markers that help us differentiate between the "good" and "bad" screens, leaving people feeling exhausted and at times reluctant to socialize online.</li><li>People can mitigate some of this screen exhaustion with simple strategies like taking phone calls while walking outside.</li></ul><p>In the two-plus months of quarantine in the United States, there's been a classic meme at the forefront of my mind. I cannot stop thinking about the Good Screen and the Bad Screen meme, and in turn, how none of my screens feel remotely "good" anymore.</p><blockquote class="reddit-card" data-card-created="1590012091"><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/memes/comments/9kmvmk/we_need_more_good_screen_and_less_bad_screen/">We need MORE good screen and LESS bad screen</a> from <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/memes">r/memes</a></blockquote><p>The premise of the meme is simple: the screens that we use for productivity — a desktop work computer in the image — are "bad." Conversely, the screens we use for leisure — a personal laptop —  are "good." While it's a pretty easy-to-understand concept, there are layers of association and meaning that help us make judgments about our various screens.</p><p>The man using the "bad" screen is wearing a button-up shirt, sitting in what seems to be an ergonomic (or at least, cozy) office chair, at a full desk with multiple monitors. "Good" screen guy is hanging out at home, wearing boxers and a plain tee while presumably surfing the web from the comfort of his bed. There's a clear division in types of technology, attire, setting, and formality, all of which help to clearly delineate where the two devices fall on the good/bad binary.</p><p>Quarantine has effectively erased all of those signifiers for people who previously did not work remotely. Many of us are <a href="https://www.insider.com/work-from-home-outfits-amid-coronavirus-quarantines-2020-3">wearing casual clothes</a> both on the clock and after hours, in addition to creating impromptu work spaces at home where we may also play video games, watch television, or eat meals. For those of us regularly clocking in virtually for the first time, there is no "good" screen anymore. Everything has started to feel like the "bad" screen.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—The Anti-Cado  (@a_cado_appears) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1256343898709991432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2020</a></blockquote><p>We're constantly inundated with <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/things-to-do-in-quarantine-activities-social-distancing-2020-4">more ways to virtually pass the time</a>, from the latest viral series like <a href="https://www.insider.com/best-memes-reactions-netflix-documentary-tiger-king-2020-3">"Tiger King"</a> to <a href="https://www.insider.com/zoom-memes-people-sharing-funny-backgrounds-outfits-and-tiktoks-2020-4">virtual hangouts</a>. Our adaptation to socializing and staying connected amid a pandemic is admirable. At the same time, after several months it can start to feel incredibly exhausting. </p><h2><strong>Our relationship with technology isn't quite so binary, even if it makes for a funny meme</strong></h2><p>Of course, our engagement with technology, no matter whether we typically use a device for productivity or leisure activities, isn't as simple as "good" and "bad," even if that's the crux of the meme's humor.</p><p>"We do tend to create these binary realities where it's good or bad, and this is forcing us to face the reality that few things are rarely that simplistic," said <a href="https://doreendm.com/about">Doreen Dodgen-Magee</a>, the author of "Deviced!: Balancing Life and Technology in a Digital World" and a psychologist. "I think we already lived in a time where productivity <keyword id="24504" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="culture">culture</keyword> pushed us to be engaged in the grind, even if that's just passing another level of a game while we're standing in line for something."</p><p>Constantly working and living at home, however, has blurred the lines between the times and devices that we use for productivity. Dodgen-Magee said that she's heard from people that they're not only multitasking with <keyword id="6358815" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="tech">tech</keyword> more than they were during the pandemic, but also that people aren't stepping away from their screens as much while they're not working. Rather, they're just doing recreational activities instead. </p><p>My own personal <keyword id="6453979" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Screen-time">screen time</keyword> has increased in quarantine in well, although in the past month I've been making an effort to cut down smartphone usage in particular. It hasn't always worked — while I only logged 15 hours and 35 minutes of screen time on my phone the week of April 26 (a 29% decrease from the previous week), that jumped up to a whopping 35 hours and 19 minutes (approximately five hours per day) the week of May 10. That time was dominated by social platforms like Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram, along with websites like Archive of Our Own (where I frequently read fan fiction) and video calling platform FaceTime, which I use to talk to my parents. Some of my heaviest use occurred on weekdays, where I'm already guaranteed to spend at least eight hours staring at a computer screen.</p><h2><strong>Screen exhaustion — and social exhaustion — are partially due to our inability to say no</strong></h2><p>Dodgen-Magee told Insider she's noticed that people now tend to feel like they're expected to be available for work during increased time frames compared to pre-pandemic. While that perception will vary depending on pre-quarantine work habits, clocking out can mean something different when you're not physically leaving an office to do so.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—ꜱʜᴛᴇᴘ @ 5.0 COMPLETE  (@azimshteppe) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1262291504313167873?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2020</a></blockquote><p>That reluctance to say no also carries over to our social lives, which are also now almost completely online. <a href="https://www.insider.com/virtual-hangouts-why-ok-to-decline-protect-mental-health-2020-4">Insider's Rachel Hosie reported</a> on the ways that messaging around socialization during the pandemic can create a feeling of obligation to hop on video calls with friends, even if a social call won't feel that relaxing after a day of video conferencing. Dodgen-Magee said that people are finding it harder to say no, particularly given that typical social outs like having to run an errand or being double-booked are harder to invoke in a video call.</p><p>"I think there's an ambient feeling of aloneness right now. People are reticent to do anything that could displease people," Dodgen-Magee said. "We don't have the language or vocabulary for saying, 'I'm feeling really overwhelmed. This is not a time I can do. I'm aware that that might feel really crummy.' We're just not used to that kind of nuanced, vulnerable communication."</p><p>In turn, as Dodgen-Magee wrote in a <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/deviced/202004/why-video-chats-are-wearing-us-out">Psychology Today blog pos</a>t, video calls and virtual hangouts can leave us feeling more lonely and tired than we were in the first place. There's a particular kind of irony to the fact that the most effective way we have to communicate with others can still leave us feeling bereft.</p><h2><strong>Increased screen time can lead to eye strain, but shouldn't have lasting effects on eye <keyword id="6354750" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="health">health</keyword></strong></h2><p><a href="https://www.willseye.org/doctor/sunir-j-garg-md/">Dr. Sunir Garg</a>, clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology and professor of ophthalmology at Willis Eye Hospital, told Insider that people <a href="https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/computer-usage">don't need to worry about long-term eye health</a> as a result of increased screen time. That being said, changing work habits may lead to increased eye strain. Dr. Garg said that decreased blinking while staring at screens can lead to users' eyes starting to dry out, leaving them feeling irritated and prickly. Staring in a single direction without moving your eyes around can be fatiguing as well.</p><p>"Part of the fun of being at work is that you're interacting with colleagues or taking a coffee break," he said. "Those kinds of physical activities break up starting at a screen. That may be different than if people are in their home office where there are fewer distractions."</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—nick usen  (@nickusen) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1242081795799224322?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2020</a></blockquote><h2><strong>Mitigating the negative effects of screen time can be as simple as taking calls outside</strong></h2><p>Dodgen-Magee recommends that people establish different zones in their home, physically separating workspace and recreation and rest space if possible.</p><p>Furthermore, she challenges people to attempt to limit their screen time while acknowledging the fact that it's largely what's keeping people connected.  "I'm trying to encourage people to take stock of what they need relationally and then try to get somewhat creative about it," she said. That could include strategies like taking video calls outside, chatting with friends and family on the phone while taking a walk, or even ramping up sensory stimuli while chatting online by engaging tactile senses with something like Play Doh or putty. </p><p>In terms of eye strain, Dr. Garg recommends that people follow the "20-20-20" rule: every 20 seconds, shift your eyes to look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Additionally, assessing workplace set-up — such as proximity to a window that may create glare on a screen — can help to mitigate factors that may lead to eye strain. Looking towards long-term eye health, he recommends <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-start-a-new-workout-habit-in-quarantine-2020-4">regular exercise</a> as well a diet full of vegetables like broccoli, spinach, or kale as well as vibrant fruits like blueberries or strawberries. </p><h2><strong>The irony of the "good screen, bad screen" meme is that it's all still just a screen</strong></h2><p>The kind of tongue-cheek-humor that makes the "good screen, bad screen" meme funny is also what makes it deeply illustrative of how we typically perceive technology around us. While it's all still a screen in the end, situational nuance defines how we interact with different devices and digitally based tasks. In quarantine, those associations are being eroded. </p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—maya kosoff  (@mekosoff) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1243875641864466433?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2020</a></blockquote><p>That being said, ensuring that we're taking care of ourselves — whether it's via exercise, outdoor jaunts, or phone calls without the added video pressure — is paramount. And in the end, it can help all of our screens feel a little less "bad."</p><ul class="read-more-links"><li>Read more:</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/virtual-hangouts-why-ok-to-decline-protect-mental-health-2020-4">Too many virtual hangouts may do more harm than good — here's how to know if it's time to say no</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/what-is-quarantine-fatigue-how-to-combat-it-2020-5">Subtle signs you're suffering from 'quarantine fatigue' and how to combat it</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/what-its-like-to-go-through-breakup-during-coronavirus-pandemic-2020-4">Zoom break-ups and live-in exes: 3 newly-single people describe what it's like to end a relationship in quarantine</a></li></ul>Read the original article on <a href="https://www.insider.com/good-bad-screen-quarantine-screen-time-psychological-eye-effects-2020-5">Insider</a>

Every screen feels gross now. This is how quarantine has blurred the line between 'good' and 'bad' technology.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Small doses of <keyword id="24879" type="CITY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Sun">sun</keyword> exposure can provide <keyword id="6354750" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="health">health</keyword> benefits, such as boosting mood and increasing <keyword id="15532" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Vitamin-D">vitamin D</keyword> production. </li><li>For most people, 10 to 15 minutes of sun exposure a day is enough to receive these health benefits. </li><li>To prevent sun damage and minimize health risks, you should wear broad spectrum <keyword id="74032" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Sunscreen">sunscreen</keyword> daily with at least an SPF of 30. </li><li>This article was <strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/insider-medical-review-board" target="_blank" rel="noopener">medically reviewed</a></strong> by <a href="https://www.memorialcare.org/providers/benjamin-b-bert" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Benjamin Bert, MD</a><strong>, an ophthalmologist at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California</strong>.</li></ul><p>Sunlight is often perceived as a threat to your health because it can cause wrinkles, premature aging, and most importantly, <a href="https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/sun-uv-and-cancer/how-does-the-sun-and-uv-cause-cancer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">skin cancer</a>. But, research suggests exposure to sunlight may actually be beneficial in small doses.</p><p>Here are a few ways sunlight positively affects your body and brain, and how much sun you should get to receive these health benefits.  </p><h2>1. Sunlight boosts mood </h2><p>Scientists have found that <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3779905/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sunlight may affect</a> the central nervous system's functioning — primarily in regards to serotonin levels.</p><p><a href="https://www.dictionary.com/browse/serotonin" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Serotonin is a neurotransmitter</a> and hormone secreted by the hypothalamus that allows  brain cells and other nervous system cells to communicate with one another. </p><p>It plays various roles in our <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK27940/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sleep and eating habits</a>, but it's perhaps best known for its effect on mood <a href="https://www.hormone.org/your-health-and-hormones/glands-and-hormones-a-to-z/hormones/serotonin#:~:text=Serotonin%20is%20the%20key%20hormone,sleeping%2C%20eating%2C%20and%20digestion." target="_blank" rel="noopener">stabilization, feelings of well-being, and overall happiness</a>. </p><p>Because <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2290997/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sunlight helps the body release serotonin</a>, during periods of the year when sunlight is less available — like in winter — the hypothalamus produces less serotonin from sunlight. This can put people at an increased risk of experiencing <a href="https://www.insider.com/am-i-depressed-quiz" target="_blank" rel="noopener">symptoms of depression</a> and <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-is-anxiety" target="_blank" rel="noopener">anxiety</a>, possibly leading to conditions like Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).</p><p>SAD, or <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-is-seasonal-depression" target="_blank" rel="noopener">seasonal depression</a>, is a mood disorder that manifests during fall and winter months. Those who experience SAD usually see their symptoms of depression improve come spring and summer with more daylight hours.  One of the ways the disorder is <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nrn2263" target="_blank" rel="noopener">treated is with artificial light</a>, as the practice is believed to boost serotonin levels. </p><h2>2. Sunlight increases vitamin D production  </h2><p>Sunlight serves a crucial role in the body's production of <a href="https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">vitamin D,</a> which has many <a href="https://www.insider.com/vitamin-d-benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener">health benefits</a>. Vitamin D <a href="https://www.nof.org/patients/treatment/calciumvitamin-d/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">helps your body absorb </a>calcium, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3944130/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">as well as to mineralize.</a> Mineralization describes the formation of<a href="https://www.iofbonehealth.org/introduction-bone-biology-all-about-our-bones" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> bone matrix</a>, which <a href="http://www.unm.edu/~jimmy/skeletal_notes.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">makes bones strong and rigid.</a> </p><p>Sunlight is the <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/how-to-get-vitamin-d-from-sunlight/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">primary way</a> people get vitamin D.A common misconception is that sunlight actually contains vitamin D. In fact, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK56061/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UV rays in sunlight stimulate the skin</a> to produce the substance. </p><p>Research has shown that maintaining adequate amounts of vitamin D may protect you from <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/multiple-sclerosis/expert-answers/vitamin-d-and-ms/faq-20058258" target="_blank" rel="noopener">developing multiple sclerosis</a> and various forms of cancers including <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6114234/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ovarian</a>, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5802611/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">breast</a>, and <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5952478/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">prostate.</a> </p><p>It is important to note these studies all found correlations, not causations in the connection between vitamin D and cancer. Therefore, there is no guarantee that adequate amounts of the sunshine vitamin will prevent cancer.  </p><p>Further, using sunscreen daily will <a href="https://www.skincancer.org/blog/sun-protection-and-vitamin-d/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">not eliminate the amount of vitamin D</a> benefits offered by the sun.</p><h2>3. Sunlight may prevent nearsightedness</h2><p><a href="https://www.aao.org/editors-choice/sunlight-exposure-reduces-myopia-in-children" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Research suggests</a> children who spend more time in sunlight may be less likely to become nearsighted. A 2012 review <a href="https://www.aaojournal.org/article/S0161-6420(12)00363-6/abstract" target="_blank" rel="noopener">published </a>by the American Academy of Ophthalmology found that for each hour children up to the age of 20 spent outdoors, the odds of developing nearsightedness fell 2%. </p><p><a href="https://weillcornell.org/cestarr" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Christopher Starr</a>, MD, an ophthalmologist at <a href="http://weillcornelleye.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Weill Cornell Medical College</a>, says<a href="https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/the_benefit_of_daylight_for_our_eyesight" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> kids should spend an</a> additional one to three hours a day outside, to stimulate dopamine production. Lack of dopamine causes elongation of the eye, resulting in nearsightedness. However, exposure to sunlight <a href="https://insights.osu.edu/health/myopia" target="_blank" rel="noopener">does not seem to reverse the effects</a> on kids who are already nearsighted.</p><h2>4. Sunlight can help you sleep </h2><p>Sunlight plays a pivotal role in regulating our <a href="https://www.nigms.nih.gov/education/fact-sheets/Pages/circadian-rhythms.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">internal clock</a>. This clock, otherwise known as circadian rhythm, dictates our behavior based on <a href="https://www.uclahealth.org/sleepcenter/circadian-rhythms" target="_blank" rel="noopener">time of day</a> — like when to fall asleep, wake up, or eat. Light appears to be one of the main driving forces behind this clock. </p><p>Through a process called <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2717723/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">entrainment,</a> a person's circadian rhythm needs to reset every day in order to stay synced with changes in light. This can occur because of changing seasons or moving to a new time zone. Research indicates entrainment takes place as a result of exposure to light and darkness.</p><p>Regular <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2717723/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">exposure to sunlight trains your brain</a> to sleep when it becomes dark, and as a result, it can help you get a better night's sleep.</p><h2>How much sunlight should you get? </h2><p>According to <a href="https://www.gwdocs.com/find-a-doctor/adam-friedman-md-faad/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adam Friedman</a>, MD, professor and interim chair of dermatology at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, it's difficult to determine a standard amount of time one should spend soaking up the rays to ensure adequate vitamin D production. </p><p>For many people, <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/time-for-more-vitamin-d" target="_blank" rel="noopener">10 to 15 minutes of sun exposure</a> per day is enough. However, the length of time will vary widely due to factors <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/how-to-get-vitamin-d-from-sunlight/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">like skin color</a>, <a href="https://www.who.int/uv/uv_and_health/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">elevation</a>, and how close you are to the equator. </p><p><a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/time-for-more-vitamin-d" target="_blank" rel="noopener">In much of the US</a> — that is anywhere roughly north of Arizona — the skin produces trivial amounts of vitamin D during fall, winter, and spring. Meanwhile, people over the age of 65 produce just 25%of the vitamin D that young adults do. <a href="https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/136/4/1126/4664238" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Black people also do not make as much vitamin D</a>, as darker skin pigmentation reduces production. </p><p>Therefore, Friedman recommends people who fall into the above demographics take vitamin D supplements. The <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-vitamin-d/art-20363792" target="_blank" rel="noopener">standard dose for adults</a> under the age of 70 is 600 international units (IU) a day. </p><p>In rare cases, <a href="https://www.insider.com/can-you-take-too-much-vitamin-d" target="_blank" rel="noopener">taking too much vitamin D</a> can lead to toxicity called hypervitaminosis D, which can lead to renal and cardiac problems. </p><h2>Too much sunlight can be harmful </h2><p>Spending too much time in the sun can be harmful to your health. <a href="https://www.skincancer.org/risk-factors/sunburn/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Even the mildest sunburn</a> is considered a skin injury. Other skin conditions like hyperpigmentation,<a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10985-sun-exposure--skin-cancer" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> wrinkles, and sun spots</a> are also caused by too much UV radiation. </p><p>Of course, these concerns are far from just cosmetic. Skin cancer, often caused by harmful ultraviolet radiation, is the <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10985-sun-exposure--skin-cancer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">most common form of cancer in the US</a> with more than <a href="https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts/#:~:text=Pediatrics-,General%20facts,of%20the%20disease%20every%20hour.&amp;text=More%20than%205.4%20million%20cases,year%20new%20statistics%20were%20available.ble." target="_blank" rel="noopener">9,500 people diagnosed every day</a>. This is why it's important to <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-to-look-for-in-facial-sunscreen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wear sunscreen</a> regardless of how much time you spend in the sun. </p><p>"We do recommend everyone should wear sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher broad spectrum on exposed areas every day," says Friedman.</p><p>For more information, learn about how to protect yourself and <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-treat-sunburn" target="_blank" rel="noopener">treat sunburn</a>. </p><h2>The bottom line </h2><p>Sunlight provides a wide range of health benefits. Even just 10 to 15 minutes of daily exposure can jumpstart production of vitamin D and regulate your sleep schedule. But, too much sunlight can cause adverse health effects like skin cancer.  That's why it's important to wear sunscreen daily.</p><h2>Related articles from our <a href="https://www.insider.com/health-reference" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Health Reference</a> library:</h2><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/does-aloe-help-sunburn" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Does aloe help sunburn? Yes, here's why it's one of the best home remedies</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/what-vitamins-are-good-for-skin" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vitamins A, B, C, and E are good for your skin</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/can-dark-skinned-people-get-sunburn" target="_blank" rel="noopener">People with dark skin can still get a sunburn, but it's less likely</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/does-sunscreen-expire" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Why you should never use expired sunscreen</a></strong></li></ul>

4 health benefits of sunlight and how much you should get each day

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/599b3c33f1a850a81a8b6251-2400/gettyimages-836311244.jpg" alt="Melania Trump and Donald Trump" data-mce-source="Mark Wilson/Getty Images" data-mce-caption="Donald Trump." /><p class="source"><span>Mark Wilson/Getty Images</span></p><p class="caption">Donald Trump did wear eclipse glasses, but couldn't resist sneaking a look with his naked eyes.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><ul><li><strong>Staring at the sun without certified protective glasses could have caused eye damage called solar retinopathy.</strong></li><li><strong>Usually people notice symptoms including blurry vision, discolored spots in vision, pain, or a loss of central vision by the next day.</strong></li><li><strong>If you are experiencing any of these symptoms after staring at the eclipse, call an eye doctor.</strong></li></ul><p>Eye doctors are going to be busy tomorrow.</p><p>If you checked out the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/category/solar-eclipse-2017">solar eclipse</a> and weren't wearing certified protective glasses (or even if you were), you might be wondering if your vision is okay.</p><p>Looking at the sun without adequate protection allows sunlight, including ultraviolet and near-infrared radiation, to penetrate the retina. That can burn parts of the eye and create a toxic reaction that causes damage, which can lead to a <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/solar-eclipse-retinopathy-eye-damage-sun-2017-8">condition eye doctors refer to as photic or solar retinopathy</a>.</p><p>If you watched the eclipse in an unsafe way, damage may not be immediately apparent, since you can't feel burns on your retina. Some people might start to notice changes to their vision within a few hours, though it's most likely that vision changes would become apparent by the next day, <a href="http://eyewiki.aao.org/Solar_Retinopathy">according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology</a> (AAO).</p><p>Symptoms of solar retinopathy include poor vision, changes to vision including blurry or discolored spots, pain, and especially a loss of vision in the center of the eye. A number of solar retinopathy patients report being unable to read because of the changes, which can be temporary or permanent.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/599b55abf1a850c02a8b632d-2000/gettyimages-836330194.jpg" alt="2017 total solar eclipse" data-mce-source="Scott Olson/Getty" data-mce-caption="People watch the solar eclipse at Saluki Stadium on the campus of Southern Illinois University on August 21, 2017 in Carbondale, Illinois. Although much of it was covered by a cloud, with approximately 2 minutes 40 seconds of totality the area in Southern Illinois experienced the longest duration of totality during the eclipse. Millions of people are expected to watch as the eclipse cuts a path of totality 70 miles wide across the United States from Oregon to South Carolina on August 21." /><p class="source"><span>Scott Olson/Getty</span></p><p class="caption">People watch the solar eclipse on the campus of Southern Illinois University on August 21, 2017.</p></div><p></p></div></div>Some people Business Insider spoke with said their eyes felt strange immediately after viewing the eclipse even though they did wear protective glasses. If your glasses were properly certified and didn't let in any light that was less bright than the sun, the discomfort may just be a temporary effect. It could be caused by the rapidly changing levels of light exposure you encountered while repeatedly covering and uncovering your eyes to look at the crescent sun. The fact that your eyes felt weird after watching the eclipse doesn't necessarily mean there's any permanent damage.</p><p>People who watched the eclipse for even a brief period of time without protection, however, are susceptible to damage. President Trump briefly <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-watching-solar-eclipse-20017-photos-2017-8">demonstrated what</a> you were <em>not</em> supposed to do, and tech entrepreneur <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/solar-eclipse-2017-elon-musk-watches-eclipse-in-model-s-with-sunglasses-2017-8">Elon Musk may have done the same</a>, tweeting that he watched with "sunglasses."</p><p>Sunglasses don't provide adequate protection and could potentially increase the risk for eye damage, since the pupil opens up more widely to let light in, <a href="http://newsroom.cumc.columbia.edu/blog/2017/08/18/why-you-shouldnt-take-a-selfie-during-the-solar-eclipse/">according to</a><span> Dr. Tongalp Tezel, an expert on retinas at Columbia University Medical Center.</span></p><p>If you are experiencing vision changes or eye pain, call an eye doctor to schedule an appointment.</p><p>A good proportion of cases do resolve themselves over time, potentially within a day or even over a couple of weeks, according to an <a href="http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/fullarticle/2648904">editorial in the journal JAMA Ophthalmology</a>. But if vision hasn't come back within six months, it's not likely to - and there is, unfortunately, no present treatment for solar retinopathy.</p><p>A doctor can examine your eye and see changes to the retina, which can take on the appearance of the crescent-shaped sun responsible for the damage. Without medical confirmation, it's hard to know whether something is really wrong and to whether it can be addressed.</p><p>"I always, always say if you notice something strange about your vision, see the eye doctor," Adriane Santa Croce, an ophthalmic sonographer at Scheie Eye Institute in Philadelphia, told Business Insider. She added that "the concerns about vision following the eclipse may uncover unrelated eye problems that people may not have addressed otherwise," including changes in vision related to diabetes, cataracts, macular degeneration, or glaucoma.</p><p>Interestingly, Croce noted that this eclipse should provide doctors with a better understanding of how light can damage the eye, since some imaging technology used now didn't exist the last time many people watched an eclipse.</p><p>Regardless of how your eyes feel after the eclipse, the AAO recommends <a href="https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/eye-exams-101">regular comprehensive vision exams</a>, since a number of health conditions can be first spotted in the eye.</p><p>If for any reason - eclipse or not - you notice any pain or vision changes tomorrow, call a doctor to be safe.</p>     <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-tell-solar-eclipse-ruined-vision-permanent-damage-2017-8">Here's how to tell if the solar eclipse ruined your vision</a></h3>        <div>            <iframe class="bijwplayerclass" data-player="jwplayer" src="https://content.jwplatform.com/players/gxR5uY6i-CEZHWCBG.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" style="margin:0px;" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><script>function receiveMessage(event){ console.log(event.data.fullscreen); Android.fullscreen(event.data.fullscreen); }window.addEventListener("message", receiveMessage, false);</script>        </div>    </div>

If your eyes hurt after watching the solar eclipse, here's what you need to know

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/599afb80b0e0b566458b5f8f-911/gettyimages-467008102.jpg" alt="eclipse glasses" data-mce-source="Pablo Blazquez Dominguez / Stringer" /><p class="source"><span>Pablo Blazquez Dominguez / Stringer</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>As you may have heard, a total <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/category/solar-eclipse-2017">solar eclipse</a> is making its way across the continental US today.</p><p>You need to wear protective solar eclipse glasses to safely watch the moon cross in front of the sun, as the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/solar-eclipse-retinopathy-eye-damage-sun-2017-8">sun's powerful rays can cause serious eye damage</a> if they are viewed directly. (There are <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/solar-eclipse-pinhole-camera-viewer-instructions-2017-8">good ways</a> to watch the event without staring at the sun if you haven't been able to find glasses.)</p><p>But one method of trying to watch without directly looking should be avoided, according to Dr. Tongalp Tezel, a retina expert at Columbia University Medical Center.</p><p>Don't try to watch the eclipse through the front-facing selfie camera on your phone, Tezel <a href="http://newsroom.cumc.columbia.edu/blog/2017/08/18/why-you-shouldnt-take-a-selfie-during-the-solar-eclipse/">said in a news release</a>.</p><p>You can <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/solar-eclipse-2017-how-to-take-photos-of-the-eclipse-2017-8">take photos of the eclipse with your phone camera</a> without damaging the sensor, as long as you don't have a zoom lens attached - there's no danger to the camera itself.</p><p>But your phone screen can reflect ultraviolet light back into your eye, according to Tezel, potentially causing the same damage - <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/solar-eclipse-retinopathy-eye-damage-sun-2017-8">solar retinopathy</a> - that looking at the sun itself can cause. Even taking a selfie without wearing eclipse glasses could reflect the sun's light back into your eyes, potentially elevating the chance of a risky moment.</p><p>"Many people will think it's safe to take a selfie with the eclipse in the background because they aren't looking directly at the sun," said Tezel. "What they may not realize is that the screen of your phone reflects the ultraviolet rays emitted during an eclipse directly toward your eye, which can result in a solar burn."</p><p><a href="https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/how-are-eyes-damaged-staring-sun">According to NASA</a>, symptoms of injury caused by sun damage usually include blurred vision, dark or yellow spots, pain, or loss of vision in the center of the eye. That sort of damage can make it hard or impossible to read or to focus on whatever is right in the center of your view.</p><p>For some people, vision recovers within 24 hours - but there could still be damage to the eye, which could result in later problems. In general, people recover as much vision as they are going to within six months of the event, <a href="http://eyewiki.aao.org/Solar_Retinopathy">according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology</a>.</p><p>If you are within the 70-mile-wide band of totality, you can safely remove your protective glasses once the sun is totally covered. You'll know it's time because you won't be able to see anything with those glasses on. But as soon as beads of light start to re-appear, it's time to protect your eyes again. Even 1% of the sun is enough to cause damage.</p><p>If you can't find eclipse glasses, we'd recommend <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/solar-eclipse-pinhole-camera-viewer-instructions-2017-8">making a simple pinhole viewer</a> to watch safely.</p><p class="tagline"><div id="categorypromo" style="border:1px solid silver; min-height:90px; padding:10px;vertical-align:top;"><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/intelligence/thirty-big-tech-predictions-for-2017?IR=T&amp;utm_source=businessinsider&amp;utm_medium=ctgr&amp;utm_term=ctgr_leadgen_2017-predictions&amp;utm_content=iphone_ctgr_leadgen_2017-predictions&amp;utm_campaign=iphone_ctgr_leadgen_2017-predictions"><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/588bab028d3eae7c079a16b6/30-big-tech-predictions-for-2017-report-cover-free.png" style="margin-right:15px;width:75px;float:left !important;" /></a><strong> EXCLUSIVE FREE REPORT:</strong><br />30 Big Tech Predictions by BI Intelligence. <strong><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/intelligence/thirty-big-tech-predictions-for-2017?IR=T&amp;utm_source=businessinsider&amp;utm_medium=ctgr&amp;utm_term=ctgr_leadgen_2017-predictions&amp;utm_content=iphone_ctgr_leadgen_2017-predictions&amp;utm_campaign=iphone_ctgr_leadgen_2017-predictions">Get the Report Now »</a></strong></div></p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-watch-solar-eclipse-without-special-glasses-tips-tricks-2017-8">Here's the best way to watch the solar eclipse if you don't have special glasses</a></h3>        <div>            <iframe class="bijwplayerclass" data-player="jwplayer" src="https://content.jwplatform.com/players/YIsHjDxI-CEZHWCBG.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" style="margin:0px;" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><script>function receiveMessage(event){ console.log(event.data.fullscreen); Android.fullscreen(event.data.fullscreen); }window.addEventListener("message", receiveMessage, false);</script>        </div>    </div>

You can safely take a picture of the solar eclipse with your iPhone - but don't use the camera to watch it

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/59922096b0e0b51d008b4ed8-1757/total-solar-eclipse-viewing-safety-sunglasses-reuters-cathal-mcnaughton-rtr4u5fq.jpg" alt="total solar eclipse viewing safety sunglasses reuters cathal mcnaughton RTR4U5FQ" data-mce-source="Cathal McNaughton/Reuters" data-mce-caption="A woman wears protective glasses as she watches a partial solar eclipse from the grounds of Belfast Zoo, in Belfast March 20, 2015." data-link="http://pictures.reuters.com/archive/SOLAR-ECLIPSE--LM1EB3K0VDM01.html" /><p class="source"><span><a href="http://pictures.reuters.com/archive/SOLAR-ECLIPSE--LM1EB3K0VDM01.html">Cathal McNaughton/Reuters</a></span></p><p class="caption">Seriously, protect your vision.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Let's get this out of the way: you cannot safely watch the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/category/solar-eclipse-2017">solar eclipse</a> without wearing protective glasses.</p><p>If you aren't wearing protective glasses, ultraviolet light from the sun can penetrate and be absorbed into your retina, where it can cause a condition that eye doctors call <a href="http://eyewiki.aao.org/Solar_Retinopathy">solar retinopathy</a>.</p><p>Many people are aware of that, but there are still some myths out there about what exactly happens to people who have looked at an eclipse without protection.</p><p>Contrary to what some warnings make it sound like, solar retinopathy doesn't necessarily leave sufferers totally blind. For most people, the damage affects central vision and may make it blurry or spotty. In some cases, that damage goes away after a few days, weeks, or months. But in others, that damage is permanent.</p><p>And it's all due to the power of the sun and the way an eclipse can cloud our judgment.</p><p>The sun is powerful enough that direct exposure to its light can damage your eyes or <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/solar-eclipse-2017-how-to-take-photos-of-the-eclipse-2017-8">damage your camera sensor</a> if you point a zoom lens directly at it.</p><p>Most of the time, we instinctively don't let ourselves look at the sun - the brightness causes us to blink or look away, which is why solar retinopathy cases are mostly associated with eclipse events (other cases have occurred when people have engaged in <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A%3A1001160413794">sun-gazing rituals</a> or when people <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4707624">tripping on LSD</a> have been captivated by the sun's brilliance).</p><p>During an eclipse when the sun isn't totally covered by the moon, our star's brightness decreases significantly. All of a sudden it's not painful to look at the sun, either because the brightness has lessened so much or because our fascination overrides our pain reflex.</p><p>Either way, that decrease is deceptive. The sun is still emitting enough ultraviolet light that it could potentially damage your eyes within seconds.</p><p>"We were just doing it for a short time," 70-year-old Lou Tomososki <a href="https://www.today.com/health/eclipse-eye-damage-man-who-hurt-vision-warns-others-t115190">told Today</a> of himself and a friend sneaking a peek at a 1962 eclipse in Oregon. "I have a little blind spot in the center of my right eye."</p><p>That doesn't mean everyone who has ever glanced at an eclipse has lost their vision. Solar retinopathy is difficult to predict. Ophthalmologists and optometrists reliably expect to see a few cases of it after an eclipse, <a href="http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/884333">according to Medscape</a>.</p><p>Usually, people whose eyes are damaged notice a change within a few hours or by the next day (though it's worth pointing out that cumulative damage by ultraviolet light over your lifetime can later result in eye problems).</p><p><a href="https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/how-are-eyes-damaged-staring-sun">According to NASA</a>, symptoms usually include blurred vision, dark or yellow spots, pain, or loss of vision in the center of the eye. That sort of damage can make it hard or impossible to read or to focus on whatever is right in the center of your view.</p><p>For some people, vision recovers within 24 hours - those ones are lucky, though again, it doesn't mean there isn't damage to the eye, they could still see later problems. In general, people recover as much as they are going to within six months of the event, <a href="http://eyewiki.aao.org/Solar_Retinopathy">according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology</a>.</p><p>If you are within the 70-mile-wide band of totality, you can safely remove your protective glasses once the sun is totally covered. You'll know it's time because you won't be able to see anything with those glasses on. But as soon as beads of light start to re-appear, it's time to protect your eyes again. Even 1% of the sun is enough to cause damage.</p><p>If you can't find eclipse glasses, we'd recommend <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/solar-eclipse-pinhole-camera-viewer-instructions-2017-8">making a simple pinhole viewer</a> to watch safely.</p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/pluto-charon-love-story-hopeless-romantic-planet-nasa-new-horion-2017-7">Pluto and its moon Charon have something that doesn't exist anywhere else in the solar system</a></h3>        <div>            <iframe class="bijwplayerclass" data-player="jwplayer" src="https://content.jwplatform.com/players/9EUtSs1i-CEZHWCBG.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" style="margin:0px;" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><script>function receiveMessage(event){ console.log(event.data.fullscreen); Android.fullscreen(event.data.fullscreen); }window.addEventListener("message", receiveMessage, false);</script>        </div>    </div>

What looking at the solar eclipse without glasses could do to your eyes

<img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/541b3ec86bb3f7c87a3c96d7-1024-681/5684204776_e8d3ba956f_b.jpg" alt="eye exam" /><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/usnavy/5684204776/in/photolist-9Ei33C-6TwHYz-8ir6D4-6TwL4v-6Uzyhv-4pcnAg-5J7Jj5-2TKEid-8BFBHb-mTcQEH-acK7QF-adf7nv-6TALYJ-9XJE7s-ae67Bg-9XFLuR-GTFgY-8TiHEX-dMGUvS-9Ef82B-7fgB23-7fgB97-7fcJ9X-7fcJdV-GTDKi-6TAMh5-dMGUW7-6TwKKB-8BFByE-8Ph6ut-6tjjRP-bnUfpm-HBCW7-6TAoa9-bu1Wvh-6Twnrc-8BFBCy-8BCvBt-8BCvHk-8BCvQF-6TwKUn-dJCtUx-dbNFPF-4zMaMG-6BBdKz-51RBwg-aVMAJT-7kgeta-64ZnDF-5QMgtK">Official U.S. Navy Page/flickr</a></span></p><p class="caption">What will be revealed?</p>When you look into your eyes, you may be trying to steel yourself for an interview. Or maybe you're just checking to see if they are red and bloodshot, irritated by allergies or perhaps a long night out.<p>But when doctors look into your eyes, they can see a lot more. The eyes might be the proverbial window to the soul, but they are also a clear window to your health, and the amount of information they can reveal is astounding.</p><p>Many conditions cause symptoms throughout the body - some show up in the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/signs-of-disease-on-skin-2017-6" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">skin</a>, others in the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/signs-of-disease-in-the-teeth-and-mouth-2014-8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">mouth</a>, and some even in <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/signs-of-disease-in-the-nails-2014-5">fingernails</a> - but the eye is one spot that reveals a particularly large percentage of health issues.</p><p>"Looking in an eye really is a fabulous experience," Dr. Charles P. Wilkinson, a retina specialist and clinical spokesman for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, told Business Insider. "It's the only place you can see blood vessels bouncing along their merry way, you can see the optic nerve, which is part of the brain."</p><p>With so much visible, more than 30 conditions show symptoms in the eyes. That's why eye doctors - ophthalmologists - and optometrists are frequently among the first to spot certain problems.</p><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/541b3bbceab8ea85072c5ca3-1024-683/4678952790_cf5a82beed_b.jpg" alt="eye" width="400" /><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/e_monk/4678952790/in/photolist-88sRDQ-7CJ9EL-2HMFqw-hm594q-6m5jdp-dieMY4-hoV6h-8cfxXd-bzFXA-8nfoc5-mva8n-5EaRRK-3ETPMb-4VgC5Z-7SqziC-2otYLn-49t9ZX-64UQxA-LVeCd-6jcnsn-4UyYZ-65rorC-bdyvf-e7KuCr-fFUea-aQF6a-6Kaevd-4TDru4-95B8z4-SiFF-7RT2Vy-7YGqS-9NzcL-5RGgKm-dx3bqz-chyZJs-nvqGL3-riDDb-9HYNCh-mSQoV-8Vixoq-e543U-4z5ezb-92A8s-bxPC6n-7My6HZ-R7NKU-7CuTY1-5Qzi4-6KkeQJ">e_monk/flickr</a></span></p>An eye exam can frequently be the first indicator of serious health conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol, or even a brain tumor, according to <a href="https://www.vsp.com/comprehensive-eye-exam.html">the insurance company VSP Vision Care</a>.<p>VSP president Jim McGrann told Business Insider that these findings showed that for many of these patients, "if people hadn't gone to see their eye doctor, they'd be walking around with time bomb diseases."</p><p>Here are irregularities that show up in your eyes - and sometimes mean that something more serious is at stake.</p><p>1. <strong>Red spots, caused by dots of blood in the eye, can be a <a href="https://www.vsp.com/diabetes.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">sign of diabetes</a></strong> - a terrible disease that the <a href="http://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587(14)70161-5/abstract">CDC predicts 40% of Americans will develop</a> in their lives. If blood sugar builds up too high, blood vessels begin to get <a href="http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/diabetic/retinopathy.asp">blocked and to swell up</a>. This can burst the tiny blood vessels in the retina, causing bleeding. If it's not treated, this can potentially lead to impaired vision or even blindness.</p><a class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/541b33666bb3f7af4f3c96d1-960/bloodshot-eye.jpg"><span class="sprites click-to-enlarge-icon" title="Click to enlarge"></span><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/541b33666bb3f7af4f3c96d1-1200-924/bloodshot-eye.jpg" alt="bloodshot eye" width="400" /></a><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/grange85/5965006676/in/photolist-a67dEG-2N8y7-7ndE1o-xiaTu-nTJH8Z-5WhTr-5WYxiQ-JgLji-3CTqk3-5pWWZA-5NNDGf-38DvLr-5NGVar-KS515-4FicA-71DuSG-9s88Ys-6c5gan-gsM9oa-8LW9LG-7KiNpg-5W7Yox-xi9pb-2JKLPw-59xf9L-5srks9-g51BDM-37Nitv-PgG3Q-7bAQXk-2AQkw-72v9SB-2fUWkj-72v9SF-29UpHA-43Qg9k-4ZBLLe-24zpxv-653LbE-vcady-a64mEz-7Azexm-4q2mCP-4QfJWv-89xqxG-4pcp-5ik9sb-72v9Sz-2aFUaC-QzHnt">Andy Aldridge/flickr</a></span></p><p class="caption">Conditions that cause bleeding in the eye range from benign, like that shown here, to the quite serious.</p>2. But <strong><a href="http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/symptoms/blood-in-eye.cfm" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">bloodshot eyes can be caused by many</a> other conditions, too - ranging from an intense cough to pinkeye to a fungal infection</strong>.<p>3. <strong>Itchy, swollen, red eyes are common giveaways that a patient is suffering from allergies</strong>, frequently triggered by pollen, dust, or pet dander. Eyedrops can help, especially if they include an antihistamine, though <a href="http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/allergies-treatment.cfm">be careful of oral antihistamines</a>, as some can cause eyes to dry out, worsening the problem.</p><p>4. <strong>D</strong><strong>ry eyes are a side effect of both computer usage and many medications</strong>, like sleeping pills, pain relievers, or anti-anxiety medications. <strong>Autoimmune diseases can cause dry eyes as well</strong>, <a href="http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/dry-eye/risk.cfm" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">especially one called</a> Sjögren's syndrome, which destroys moisture-producing glands and mostly affects older women.</p><p>5. Most people <strong>lose the ability to focus on close-up things </strong>like the print on restaurant menus as they age, but certain medications - antidepressants, antihistamines, and diuretics - can cause this condition, called <strong style="line-height: 1.5em;">presbyopia</strong>, to <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/presbyopia/basics/risk-factors/con-20032261" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">happen prematurely</a>.</p><p>6. <strong>Blurry vision can be caused by <a href="http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/symptoms/blurriness.cfm">a long list</a> of eye conditions, but for those already at risk of high blood pressure, it can be a sign that someone needs to <a href="https://www.vsp.com/high-blood-pressure.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">get to the doctor</a> immediately</strong>. Once a person's sight is obscured by side effects of hypertension, that person needs treatment quickly, as vision and more is at stake.</p><a class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/541b3b116da811eb6abb3e11-960/slit_lamp_photograph_showing_retinal_detachment_in_von_hippel-lindau_disease_eda08.jpg"><span class="sprites click-to-enlarge-icon" title="Click to enlarge"></span><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/541b3b116da811eb6abb3e11-900-688/slit_lamp_photograph_showing_retinal_detachment_in_von_hippel-lindau_disease_eda08.jpg" alt="Detached retina" width="400" /></a><p class="source"><span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retinal_detachment#mediaviewer/File:Slit_lamp_photograph_showing_retinal_detachment_in_Von_Hippel-Lindau_disease_EDA08.JPG">National Eye Institute/National Institutes of Health</a></span></p><p class="caption">A torn retina can cause the retina to detach, like this one - though this was caused by an illness.</p>7. <strong>Suddenly seeing specks or flashes of light can be a sign of a torn retina.</strong> Some people experience these symptoms with migraines or simply as they grow older. But a sudden increase in the size and number of specks or flashes of light you see can be caused by a torn retina, which <a href="http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/floaters-flashes/causes.cfm" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">needs to be treated</a>. That's especially the case if the flashes or spots are accompanied by a shadow or loss of peripheral vision, which very likely indicates a detached retina.<p>8. <strong>Eye doctors can be the first ones to detect some cancers.</strong> An eye doctor can check for <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/eye-melanoma/basics/definition/con-20027875">ocular melanoma</a>, a rare form of melanoma but one that usually can't be detected by looking in the mirror. If other causes of pressure or pain in the eye are ruled out, Wilkinson says, an eye doctor may check to see if a brain tumor is a possibility.</p><p>9. <strong>High cholesterol can frequently cause white rings to develop around the eyes,</strong> and <a href="http://www.nhsinform.org/health-library/articles/c/cholesterol/symptoms" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">can also cause yellowish bumps</a> to appear in the eyelids. Older patients are <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/expert-answers/arcus-senilis/faq-20058306">likely to also develop</a> similar white rings, but in any case, it can be a sign that cholesterol needs to be checked by a doctor.</p><p>McGrann says the large number of diseases that cause symptoms in the eye should convince people that an annual eye exam is worthwhile. An annual exam is especially necessary for anyone over 40, Wilkinson says - <span>though he notes that many of these health conditions are frequently detected first during routine medical screening.</span></p><p>At that point, changes in the eye and body mean that eye doctors have important conditions to monitor, even if vision is stable. And new problems can surface at any time. Many can be treated before they cause a problem - but only if a doctor has a chance to examine the eye in the first place.</p><p><em>This is an updated version of an older post.</em></p>

What doctors can tell about your health just by looking in your eyes

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/541b3ec86bb3f7c87a3c96d7-1024-681/5684204776_e8d3ba956f_b.jpg" border="0" alt="eye exam"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/usnavy/5684204776/in/photolist-9Ei33C-6TwHYz-8ir6D4-6TwL4v-6Uzyhv-4pcnAg-5J7Jj5-2TKEid-8BFBHb-mTcQEH-acK7QF-adf7nv-6TALYJ-9XJE7s-ae67Bg-9XFLuR-GTFgY-8TiHEX-dMGUvS-9Ef82B-7fgB23-7fgB97-7fcJ9X-7fcJdV-GTDKi-6TAMh5-dMGUW7-6TwKKB-8BFByE-8Ph6ut-6tjjRP-bnUfpm-HBCW7-6TAoa9-bu1Wvh-6Twnrc-8BFBCy-8BCvBt-8BCvHk-8BCvQF-6TwKUn-dJCtUx-dbNFPF-4zMaMG-6BBdKz-51RBwg-aVMAJT-7kgeta-64ZnDF-5QMgtK">Official U.S. Navy Page/flickr</a></span></p><p class="caption">What will be revealed?</p></img></div><p></p></div></div>When you look into your eyes, you may be trying to steel yourself for an interview. Or maybe you're just checking to see if they are red and bloodshot, irritated by allergies or perhaps a long night out.</p>
<p>But when doctors look into your eyes, they can see a lot more. The eyes might be the proverbial window to the soul, but they are also a clear window to your health, and the amount of information they can reveal is astounding.</p>
<p>Many conditions cause symptoms throughout the body - some show up in the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/signs-of-disease-on-skin-2014-6" target="_blank">skin</a>, others in the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/signs-of-disease-in-the-teeth-and-mouth-2014-8" target="_blank">mouth</a>, and some even in <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/signs-of-disease-in-the-nails-2014-5">fingernails</a> - but the eye is one spot that reveals a particularly large percentage of health issues.</p>
<p>"Looking in an eye really is a fabulous experience," says Dr. Charles P. Wilkinson, a retina specialist and clinical spokesman for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. "It's the only place you can see blood vessels bouncing along their merry way, you can see the optic nerve, which is part of the brain."</p>
<p>With so much visible, more than 30 conditions show symptoms in the eyes. That's why eye doctors - ophthalmologists - and optometrists are frequently among the first to spot certain problems.</p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container float_right" style="width:400px"><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/541b3bbceab8ea85072c5ca3-1024-683/4678952790_cf5a82beed_b.jpg" border="0" alt="eye" width="400"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/e_monk/4678952790/in/photolist-88sRDQ-7CJ9EL-2HMFqw-hm594q-6m5jdp-dieMY4-hoV6h-8cfxXd-bzFXA-8nfoc5-mva8n-5EaRRK-3ETPMb-4VgC5Z-7SqziC-2otYLn-49t9ZX-64UQxA-LVeCd-6jcnsn-4UyYZ-65rorC-bdyvf-e7KuCr-fFUea-aQF6a-6Kaevd-4TDru4-95B8z4-SiFF-7RT2Vy-7YGqS-9NzcL-5RGgKm-dx3bqz-chyZJs-nvqGL3-riDDb-9HYNCh-mSQoV-8Vixoq-e543U-4z5ezb-92A8s-bxPC6n-7My6HZ-R7NKU-7CuTY1-5Qzi4-6KkeQJ">e_monk/flickr</a></span></p></img></div><p></p></div>A <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/240319966/VSP-HCMS-White-Paper-Study?secret_password=WYXzze2C7r2ITaWzg6mJ">study of 120,000 patients by insurance company VSP Vision Care</a> found that an eye exam was the first indicator of 34% of diabetes cases, 39% of high blood pressure cases, and a shocking 62% of high cholesterol cases.</p>
<p>VSP president Jim McGrann says that these findings showed that for many of these patients, "if people hadn't gone to see their eye doctor, they'd be walking around with time bomb diseases."</p>
<p>Here are irregularities that show up in your eyes - and sometimes mean that something more serious is at stake.</p>
<p>1. <strong>Red spots, caused by dots of blood in the eye, can be a <a href="https://www.vsp.com/diabetes.html" target="_blank">sign of diabetes</a></strong> - a terrible disease that the <a href="http://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587(14)70161-5/abstract">CDC predicts 40% of Americans will develop</a> in their lives. If blood sugar builds up too high, blood vessels begin to get <a href="http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/diabetic/retinopathy.asp">blocked and to swell up</a>. This can burst the tiny blood vessels in the retina, causing bleeding. If it's not treated, this can potentially lead to impaired vision or even blindness.</p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container float_right click-to-enlarge" style="width:400px"><div class="image on-image"><a title_source="Andy Aldridge/flickr" title_caption="Conditions that cause bleeding in the eye range from benign to quite serious." class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/541b33666bb3f7af4f3c96d1-960/bloodshot-eye.jpg"><span class="sprites click-to-enlarge-icon" title="Click to enlarge"></span><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/541b33666bb3f7af4f3c96d1-1200-924/bloodshot-eye.jpg" border="0" alt="bloodshot eye" width="400" /></a><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/grange85/5965006676/in/photolist-a67dEG-2N8y7-7ndE1o-xiaTu-nTJH8Z-5WhTr-5WYxiQ-JgLji-3CTqk3-5pWWZA-5NNDGf-38DvLr-5NGVar-KS515-4FicA-71DuSG-9s88Ys-6c5gan-gsM9oa-8LW9LG-7KiNpg-5W7Yox-xi9pb-2JKLPw-59xf9L-5srks9-g51BDM-37Nitv-PgG3Q-7bAQXk-2AQkw-72v9SB-2fUWkj-72v9SF-29UpHA-43Qg9k-4ZBLLe-24zpxv-653LbE-vcady-a64mEz-7Azexm-4q2mCP-4QfJWv-89xqxG-4pcp-5ik9sb-72v9Sz-2aFUaC-QzHnt">Andy Aldridge/flickr</a></span></p><p class="caption">Conditions that cause bleeding in the eye range from benign to quite serious.</p></div><p></p></div>2. But <strong><a href="http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/symptoms/blood-in-eye.cfm" target="_blank">bloodshot eyes can be caused by many</a> other conditions too - ranging from an intense cough to pinkeye to a fungal infection</strong>.</p>
<p>3. <strong>Itchy, swollen, red eyes are common giveaways that a patient is suffering from allergies</strong>, frequently triggered by pollen, dust, or pet dander. Eyedrops can help, especially if they include an antihistamine, though <a href="http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/allergies-treatment.cfm">be careful of oral antihistamines</a>, as some can cause eyes to dry out, worsening the problem.</p>
<p>4. <strong>D</strong><strong>ry eyes are a side effect of both computer usage and many medications</strong>, like sleeping pills, pain relievers, or anti-anxiety medications. <strong>Autoimmune diseases can cause dry eye as well</strong>, <a href="http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/dry-eye/risk.cfm" target="_blank">especially one called</a> Sjögren's syndrome, which destroys moisture-producing glands and mostly affects older women.</p>
<p>5. Most people <strong>lose the ability to focus on close-up things </strong>like the print on restaurant menus as they age, but certain medications - antidepressants, antihistamines, and diuretics - can cause this condition, called <strong style="line-height: 1.5em;">presbyopia</strong>, to <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/presbyopia/basics/risk-factors/con-20032261" target="_blank">happen prematurely</a>.</p>
<p>6. <strong>Blurry vision can be caused by <a href="http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/symptoms/blurriness.cfm">a long list</a> of eye conditions, but for those already at risk of high blood pressure, it can be a sign that someone needs to <a href="https://www.vsp.com/high-blood-pressure.html" target="_blank">get to the doctor</a> immediately</strong>. Once a person's sight is obscured by side effects of hypertension, they need treatment quickly, as vision and more is at stake.</p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container float_right click-to-enlarge" style="width:400px"><div class="image on-image"><a title_source="National Eye Institute/National Institutes of Health" title_caption="A torn retina can cause the retina to detach, like this one - though this was caused by an illness." class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/541b3b116da811eb6abb3e11-960/slit_lamp_photograph_showing_retinal_detachment_in_von_hippel-lindau_disease_eda08.jpg"><span class="sprites click-to-enlarge-icon" title="Click to enlarge"></span><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/541b3b116da811eb6abb3e11-900-688/slit_lamp_photograph_showing_retinal_detachment_in_von_hippel-lindau_disease_eda08.jpg" border="0" alt="Detached retina" width="400" /></a><p class="source"><span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retinal_detachment#mediaviewer/File:Slit_lamp_photograph_showing_retinal_detachment_in_Von_Hippel-Lindau_disease_EDA08.JPG">National Eye Institute/National Institutes of Health</a></span></p><p class="caption">A torn retina can cause the retina to detach, like this one - though this was caused by an illness.</p></div><p></p></div>7. <strong>Suddenly seeing specks or flashes of light can be a sign of a torn retina.</strong> Some people experience these symptoms with migraines or simply as they grow older. But a sudden increase in the size and number of specks or flashes of light you see can be caused by a torn retina, which <a href="http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/floaters-flashes/causes.cfm" target="_blank">needs to be treated</a>. That's especially the case if the flashes or spots are accompanied by a shadow or loss of peripheral vision, which very likely indicates a detached retina.</p>
<p>8. <strong>Eye doctors can be the first ones to detect some cancers.</strong> An eye doctor can check for <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/eye-melanoma/basics/definition/con-20027875">ocular melanoma</a>, a rare form of melanoma but one that usually can't be detected by looking in the mirror. If other causes of pressure or pain in the eye are ruled out, Wilkinson explains that an eye doctor may check to see if a brain tumor is a possibility.</p>
<p>9. <strong>High cholesterol can frequently cause white rings to develop around the eyes,</strong> and <a href="http://www.nhsinform.org/health-library/articles/c/cholesterol/symptoms" target="_blank">can also cause yellowish bumps</a> to appear in the eyelids. Older patients are <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/expert-answers/arcus-senilis/faq-20058306">likely to also develop</a> similar white rings, but in any case, it can be a sign that cholesterol needs to be checked by a doctor.</p>
<p>McGrann says that the large number of diseases that cause symptoms in the eye should convince people that an annual eye exam is worthwhile. That's especially true for anyone over 40, according to Wilkinson.</p>
<p>At that point, changes in the eye and body mean that eye doctors have important conditions to monitor, even if vision is stable. And new problems can surface at any time. Many can be treated before they cause a problem - but only if a doctor has a chance to examine the eye in the first place.</p>

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