4 Things I Would Never Do as an Eye Doctor

Some eye trends look harmless on social media—but as eye care professionals, we see the consequences up close. At Family Vision Optical, our priority is protecting your sight for life. Here are four things we’d never do to our own eyes—and smarter, safer alternatives you can choose instead.

1) Get LASIK “just because”

LASIK can be life-changing for many people, but it permanently reshapes your cornea. While complications are uncommon, when they do occur they can be significant—and irreversible. With so many non-surgical options available today, we wouldn’t choose elective corneal surgery for ourselves.

What to do instead:

● Ask us about the full spectrum of vision correction options (glasses, daily disposable contacts, orthokeratology/Ortho-K).
● If you’re considering LASIK, book a comprehensive exam first. We’ll review candidacy criteria, Dry Eye risk, and realistic outcomes before any referral.

2) Get permanent eyeliner or “eye tattoos”

Introducing needles and pigment around the eye can irritate delicate tissues and raise infection risk. Pigment can migrate, and removing or correcting it later is difficult. Your eyes do a lot for you—don’t gamble with them.

What to do instead:

● Stick with high-quality, ophthalmologist-tested cosmetics.
● Avoid the waterline; keep makeup away from the lash margin and meibomian glands.
● Remove makeup thoroughly every night and replace eye products frequently.

3) Wear lash extensions

Eyelashes are designed to keep debris out of your eyes. Extensions are good at catching debris. In our exam rooms, we often see buildup on the lids and lashes. This buildup can cause irritation and inflammation.

If you choose them anyway, be extra careful:

● Clean lids and lashes daily with an eye-safe cleanser.
● Take regular “lash holidays” so the follicles and lid margin can recover.
● Skip if you have sensitive eyes, Dry Eye, or recurrent styes/blepharitis.

4) Wear anything but daily disposable contact lenses

The worst infections from contact lenses usually happen for a few reasons. These include wearing them for too long, not cleaning the cases properly, or getting them wet. Dailies dramatically simplify safe wear: fresh, sterile lenses every morning—no solution or cases to contaminate.

Smart habits for any contact lens wearer:

● No sleeping, showering, or swimming in contacts—ever.
● Wash and dry hands before handling lenses.
● Follow the replacement schedule exactly (dailies = one day, then discard).

Your Local Resource for Eye-Safe Choices

Our team is here to help you with everyday eye makeup questions and long-term vision correction. We provide clear and personalized guidance. If you are considering a cosmetic trend or eye procedure, begin with a complete eye exam. We will help you choose what is best for your eyes.

Ready to talk? Schedule your appointment at Family Vision Optical and let’s protect your sight for life.