How to care for your eyes properly all year round

Comprehensive Guide to Year-Round Eye Care

This is an updated post from our archives. It discusses how seasonal changes can affect eye health, offering tips for winter and summer to maintain optimal vision, especially for those with visual impairments.

Key Takeaways

Maintaining optimal eye health requires attention throughout the year, as each season presents unique challenges. Here’s how to protect your eyes across different seasons:

Winter: Combatting Dryness

• Hydration: Cold air often lacks moisture, leading to dry eyes. Ensure adequate water intake to maintain hydration.
• Humidifiers: Using a humidifier indoors can add moisture to the air, alleviating dryness.
• Hydrating Contact Lenses: If you wear contact lenses, opt for hydrating types to prevent discomfort.
• Limit Cold Exposure: Prolonged exposure to cold can cause blood vessels around the eyes to constrict, potentially affecting vision. Stay indoors during extreme cold and consult a healthcare professional if you notice any changes in your vision.

Summer: Shielding from UV Rays

• Sunglasses: Wear sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays to protect your eyes from harmful solar radiation.
• Protective Eyewear for Activities: When swimming, use well-fitted goggles to prevent exposure to bacteria and chemicals that can cause infections.
• Avoid Direct Sunlight: Stay in shaded areas during peak sunlight hours to reduce the risk of UV damage.

Spring and Autumn: Managing Allergies

• Monitor Pollen Levels: Keep windows closed during high pollen counts to prevent allergens from entering your home.
• Air Purifiers: Use air purifiers to reduce indoor allergens that can irritate the eyes.
• Consult Healthcare Providers: Seek advice on appropriate medications to alleviate allergy symptoms affecting the eyes.

General Eye Care Tips

• Regular Eye Examinations: Schedule comprehensive eye exams annually to detect and address issues early.
• Healthy Diet: Consume foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins C and E, and zinc to support eye health.
• Avoid Smoking: Smoking increases the risk of eye diseases; quitting can significantly benefit your eye health.
• Protective Eyewear: Use safety glasses during activities that could harm your eyes, such as certain sports or home improvement projects.

By adopting these practices, you can maintain healthy vision throughout the year, regardless of seasonal changes.

Winter

The main thing to focus on in winter is how dry the air is due to the lowered temperatures. This can cause a number of ocular issues, not least of which is drying out the eyes themselves. It is important to keep yourself hydrated by regularly drinking water.

However, if this is an issue due to a lack of mobility, keeping a humidifier in your home can help to combat the dryness of the heated indoor air. If you wear glasses, then perhaps consider hydrating contact lenses, These will help keep the dry air from affecting your eyesight.

Furthermore, if you are unable to leave your home or struggle do so regularly, you can buy contact lenses online, which will be even more convenient if the weather outside is unsafe.

Another danger in winter issue with experiencing changes to your vision, which are simply due to the cold temperature. The blood vessels around your eyes constrict when subjected to extremely low temperatures, causing immediate vision changes.

If you are visually impaired, it may be harder for you to pick up on the subtle changes of the season. The most obvious solution here is to stay out of the cold, especially for extended periods of time. You should also contact your doctor if you feel any changes, even if you have a pre-existing condition. Try to be safe rather than ignoring this – it could potentially worsen your eye health further.

Summer

The most obvious worry here is the damage the sun can do to your eyesight sun. As we can’t put suncream on our eyes, the easiest way to protect them when the sun is beaming down is to wear sunglasses or a large hat. We should also try to keep out of direct sunlight as much as possible.

For those who require glasses to help with their vision, it is possible to get sunglasses that are also prescription. There are also some fairly cheap contact lenses available with UV blocking filters on top, if that is what you would prefer to wear on a daily basis.

However, if you do wear contacts, swimming may be something that you have to avoid, unless you have a reliable pair of goggles to protect your contacts from water (which can lead to bacteria forming behind the lenses).

Protecting your eyes is mainly just about being sensible and taking precautions. If you are already partially sighted, looking after your remaining eyesight is incredibly important throughout the year and being aware of the risks that each change in season can provoke.

As for the rest of the seasons, you’ll need to consider the above tips in relation to the weather and to what the climate in your city feels like. Take care of your eyes properly to avoid further issues and ensure comfort.

Spring and Autumn Eye Care Tips

Seasonal transitions in spring and autumn can also impact your eye health. Here are some tips to protect your eyes during these times:

• Manage Allergies: Pollen levels are typically higher in spring and autumn, which can cause itchy, watery eyes. To alleviate symptoms, keep windows closed during high pollen days and consider using air purifiers indoors.
• Stay Hydrated: Fluctuating temperatures can lead to dry eyes. Drink plenty of water and use artificial tears if necessary to maintain eye moisture.
• Protect Against UV Rays: UV exposure remains a concern even in cooler months. Wear sunglasses that block 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB rays when outdoors. The National Eye Institute recommends sunglasses that block 99% to 100% of both UVA and UVB radiation.
• Maintain a Healthy Diet: Incorporate foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A and C, and zinc to support eye health. Examples include fish, leafy greens, and citrus fruits.
• Regular Eye Exams: Schedule comprehensive dilated eye exams to detect any changes in your vision early. The National Eye Institute advises regular eye exams to protect your sight and detect diseases like glaucoma early. (https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/healthy-vision/keep-your-eyes-healthy)

By following these tips, you can help ensure your eyes remain healthy throughout the year.

Quick-Reference Checklist for Seasonal Eye Care

To make eye care easier for you throughout the year, here’s a quick-reference checklist for seasonal tips. By incorporating these into your routine, you can keep your eyes healthy and comfortable no matter the season:

Spring

• Manage allergies: Use antihistamine eye drops or artificial tears to combat pollen-related symptoms like itching and redness.
• Wear sunglasses: Protect your eyes from UV rays and allergens when spending time outdoors.
• Clean frequently: Wash your face and hands regularly to remove pollen and reduce irritation.

Summer

• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water to prevent dryness caused by heat.
• Use UV-blocking sunglasses: Opt for sunglasses with 100% UVA and UVB protection.
• Wear hats: Wide-brimmed hats can shield your eyes from direct sunlight.

Autumn

• Monitor allergies: Ragweed and mold can be triggers; use air purifiers and keep windows closed on high-pollen days.
• Increase omega-3 intake: Eating fatty fish or taking supplements can support tear production and reduce dryness.

Winter

• Combat dry air: Use a humidifier indoors to maintain moisture levels.
• Wear goggles: Protect your eyes from cold winds, especially during outdoor activities.
• Reduce screen time: Dry air and increased screen use can strain your eyes; take regular breaks using the 20-20-20 rule.

By following this checklist, you can ensure your eyes are well-protected and healthy, regardless of the season. Remember, regular eye exams remain a cornerstone of maintaining long-term eye health.

Originally posted on 29/09/2018 @ 12:02 am