4 Common Fall Eye Problems

During the summer, most of us naturally wear sunglasses to give our eyes adequate protection from the harmful effects of the sun. However, you may be surprised to learn that summer is far from the only season where our eyes can be adversely affected by our natural environment. Fall too presents a number of challenges when it comes to keeping our eyes healthy and safe.

Here are 4 of the most common fall eye problems and how to overcome them.

 

1.   Fall UV damage

Summer seems a fairly obvious time to wear sunglasses, but our eyes actually benefit from us wearing them all year round, including in the fall and winter months. During the cooler season, the sun shifts its position so that it shines at a different angle. This new angle causes the light to hit our face right above the brow bone. This may seem less damaging than landing directly on our eyes, but the new position can cause a number of issues including irritation and eye strain. UV radiation can also still reach the surface of the eyes and penetrate the inner layers, causing permanent changes that accumulate into long-term optic damage.

The best way to protect your eyes from fall UV damage is to wear sunglasses that are proven to block out 99-100% of the sun’s UV rays. Ultraviolet radiation can cause damage to the eyes even on cloudy days, so wear your sunglasses as much as possible.

 

2.   Dry eyes

Also known as dry eye disorder and dry eye syndrome, this common condition occurs when there isn’t sufficient tear film on the surface of the eyes, causing them to dry out too quickly and causing some unpleasant and even debilitating symptoms. There can be a range of causes of dry eye, but many people find that their symptoms worsen during the winter months. This is largely because, as the weather cools, the humidity drops, and the air becomes drier. We also become more likely to use heating systems in our homes and places of work, and this puts us at greater risk of developing dry eyes.

Dry eyes caused by dry, warm environments can usually be treated using over the counter eye drops. These artificial tears can be used to add lubrication to the eyes and should be administered as directed. Humidifiers can also add moisture to the air, making you less likely to experience such severe symptoms.

 

3.   Shorter days

As we head into fall, the days start to become shorter, meaning fewer daylight hours and longer nights. This change may also mean that you suddenly start walking or driving in dusky or completely dark conditions. Unsurprisingly, this can be more challenging than walking or driving in the daytime, as harsh lights from passing cars and poorly lit areas can place strain on your eyes. You may find that your vision is blurred or that you experience other visual abnormalities.

You can make it easier to see in darker conditions in a number of ways. Firstly, if you wear glasses or contact lenses, make sure that they are completely clean. Smudges can worsen glare and make eyestrain worse. You should also consider getting glasses lenses with an anti-glare coating which lessens the effect and can make it easier to drive at night.

 

4.   Winter allergies

Allergies can strike any time of the year and fall is no exception. In fact, dust mites and animal dander – which are two very common allergy triggers – are more prevalent during the cooler months. This is in part due to keeping windows closed more often, which may trap heat in your home but will also trap the allergens causing your symptoms, which could include irritated, sore, red and scratchy eyes.

Over the counter, allergy medications have shown to be very effective in countering the effects of reactions, but you can also make a few changes around your home to help. This includes increasing air ventilation when possible, dusting and vacuuming regularly, and grooming pets often and away from the home to decrease the amount of hair that they leave.

For more advice on common fall eye problems, or for any other eye concerns, please speak to our dedicated eye care team today.