The days are growing longer and spring is just around the corner! And with a new season just ahead of us will come a new set of eye care guidelines. To help you prepare for the change, we’ve put together a quick list of things everyone can do to care for their vision this spring:
- Beware of the sun. In a cloudy city like Pittsburgh, it's easy to skip out on using a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Who needs them, right? We all do - because UV rays can penetrate both clouds and glass. While sunscreen will help protect your skin, a hat and sunglasses will help to protect your eyes - and by reducing your UV exposure, you will reduce your risk of cataracts, macular degeneration, and other eye problems.
- Report redness. Redness. Itching. Teary eyes. These are all symptoms associated with allergies - but they can also be symptoms of infections, dry eye disease, or other inflammatory problems. Rather than assume the symptoms are nothing, it’s best to report them to your doctor and schedule time for a quick exam. When it comes to our vision, it’s always better safe than sorry.
- Don't forget protective eyewear. As the weather warms up we're all likely to spend more time outside. Some of us will play recreational sports; and some of us will work in our garages or yards. Either way, these activities and more all have the potential to cause serious eye injuries. That’s why you should always make sure that you wear appropriate protective eyewear, that fits properly, before engaging in them. This will reduce your risk of being in an accidental eye injury that requires hospitalization - and which may compromise your vision.
- Wash those hands. Allergens and germs alike can reach your eyes via your hands, which many of us use to rub our faces throughout the day. Regular hand washing can help remove infection-causing germs as well as irritating pollen throughout the day - although, it’s best not to rub red and itchy eyes at all!
These four simple tips can go a long way make your spring season much more comfortable. Remember: if you are experiencing any odd symptoms, or have any follow-up questions about this advice, contact us today to ask about available appointments with our team. Our staff are here to make sure your spring season is as healthy and comfortable as possible!
