We’d make an eye joke, but we don’t wanna be cornea. Dr. Maria Montero (she / her) is the Head of Ophthalmology at Orbis's Flying Eye Hospital where she performs eye surgeries for adults and children—sometimes offering her services for free for those with limited access to care. Since women are more likely to have vision loss than men (more on that below), we asked the Mexico native to give us advice on how to protect our eye health.

Keep reading to learn why you should visit your optometrist regularly, add more carrots to your salads, and always take your makeup off before bed.

What are some basic ways we can care for our vision?
Above anything else, routine eye screenings are the best way to preserve vision health, so it’s critical to get eye exams once a year. Many common eye diseases can be significantly slowed with treatment, but only if they’re caught on time.

Is it true that women are more likely than men to develop vision impairment?
Globally, 55% of people with vision loss are women and girls. That’s 112 million more than men and boys. There are many reasons for this, one being that the average life expectancy of women is longer than men’s, and eye conditions such as cataract, presbyopia, and glaucoma are associated with increasing age. But perhaps most importantly, the barriers that prevent people from accessing eye health services are more problematic for women. They include having less financial resources, fewer options for traveling to get care, and knowing less about how to get treated due to low literacy.

What are some things that are bad for your eyes that people don’t know about?
Unhealthy habits in general have an impact on every part of your body, including your eyes. Smoking, for example, has been linked to eye conditions that cause vision loss, such as macular degeneration and cataracts. Not getting enough sleep can cause red, bloodshot eyes as well as dark circles, eye spasms, dry eyes, and blurred vision. And if you aren’t incorporating enough fruits and vegetables into your diet, you’re probably not getting the necessary vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids necessary for optimum eye health.

Is it true that sunshine can help your eye health?
Natural light is beneficial for the development and ongoing health of your eyes. Sunshine helps the body produce vitamin D, which plays an important role in slowing down the aging process and improving your vision. Natural light also stimulates the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps us feel pleasure.

What about eating carrots?
Carrots contain beta-carotene, a substance that the body converts to vitamin A, which is an important nutrient for eye health. That said, vitamin A can be found in plenty of foods—it isn’t limited to carrots.

How bad is it really to sleep in contacts or eye makeup?
People who sleep in contact lenses are 6 to 8 times more likely to develop an eye infection. All types of contacts increase your risk of infection, even extended-wear lenses and lenses approved for overnight use. As for sleeping in makeup, its side effects can include itchy, bloodshot eyes, an allergic reaction, or even a full-blown infection if you’re not careful. It’s also been connected to the development of pink eye, and can result in more severe conditions like a scratched or perforated cornea.

What’s a misconception people have about getting Lasik surgery?
I’ve heard people express fear about losing their vision because of a Lasik surgery gone wrong, but it’s extremely uncommon. There are certain requirements you need to meet in order to get it, and talking to your doctor is the best way to figure out what they are.

How long does it take to recover from it, and what are some of the risks?
It usually takes about 2-3 months for your eyes to completely heal and your vision to stabilize. There is a chance the prescription and correction following your Lasik surgery can regress, but it won’t go back to the full original prescription. Some risks include dry eyes, under corrections, and overcorrections. Your eye care provider should be able to go through and address any concerns you may have.

Photo Credit: Geoff Oliver Bugbee