Spring brings with it blooming flowers, warmer weather, and longer days. However, along with the beauty of the season come some potential hazards for your eyes.
From harmful UV rays to pollen and other allergens, it’s essential to take proactive steps to safeguard your vision during this time of year.
Data shows pollen allergy impacts approximately 10-15% of children and 26% of adults across the UK and Ireland.
If you’re one of these people or you simply want to protect your eyes from UV rays, here are some practical tips to protect your eyes and maintain optimal eye health during spring.
Wear sunglasses
As the sun gets higher in the sky, UV rays get stronger and stronger!
UV rays can cause damage to your sensitive eye tissues, leading to issues such as cataracts and macular degeneration!
So how do we prevent this?
Invest in a good pair of sunglasses that offer 100% UV protection. Opt for sunglasses that wrap around your eyes to provide maximum coverage and protection from both UVA and UVB rays.
This is also especially good for protecting the delicate skin around your eyes from premature ageing!
Use protective eyewear
If you’re enjoying spring activities such as gardening or playing sports, consider wearing predictive eyewear, especially if you suffer from allergies.
If you suffer from allergies, dust, debris and other irritants such as pollen can enter your eye and make your allergies worse.
Keep eyes moisturised
As nature comes to life during the springtime, your allergies can be triggered, learning to dry, itchy eyes that can ruin your experience trying to enjoy the spring weather.
To combat this, use eye drops to keep eyes moisturised and relieve any discomfort that you may experience. Speak to your optometrist about the best eye drops for your eyes.
Limit outdoor time during peak pollen hours
Pollen levels can be particularly high during the early morning and the evening. If possible, try to avoid spending extended periods outdoors during these times to reduce your exposure to allergens.
While it might not be entirely possible to avoid the outdoors during mornings and evenings, it might be useful to try pushing plans to an hour where pollen levels are low, you can use a pollen tracker to check this.
Maintain good hygiene
Here are a few things you can do to maintain good hygiene during pollen season:
- Wash hands and face before touching eyes
- Change clothes after being outdoors
- Wash bedding regularly
- Keep windows closed during high pollen counts
- Use allergy-proof covers for bedding
- Vacuum with a HEPA filter frequently
- Limit outdoor activities during peak pollen hours
- Groom pets regularly to reduce pollen exposure
- Consider nasal irrigation for congestion relief
Regular eye exams
No one understands your eyes better than you and your optometrist. Schedule routine eye exams with your optometrist to monitor your eye health and address any concerns promptly.
If you wear glasses or contact lenses, ensure that your prescription is up to date. If you wear contacts, it is important to discuss with your optometrist about lenses which are best suited for allergy sufferers.
Remember, if you’re suffering from eye allergies, consider giving your eyes a break and wearing glasses instead, there are many stylish glasses options to choose from!
Seek medical attention for persistent symptoms
If you experience persistent eye irritation, redness, or vision changes despite taking precautions, consult an eye care professional promptly.
Ignoring symptoms can lead to further complications and affect your overall eye health. They can suggest solutions such as eye drops which can help soothe the eyes if you’re suffering from allergies.
Book an eye test with Gormley Opticians for expert advice on how to protect your eyes.
