However, spring has inherent dangers for your vision and eye health. It is vital to make sure you are taking proper precautions and steps to protect your eyes throughout the season. In this article, we are discussing common eye health dangers and what you can do about them.
X Dangers of Spring for Your Eyes
1) Allergies
Countless western North Carolina residents suffer from spring allergies. From runny noses to itchy eyes, spring can be a season of irritation. It is not just the yellow pollen that coats are cars and decks, but grasses, ragweed, and other plants send allergens into the air throughout the year. When our eyes are itchy, we tend to rub them, introducing even more irritants into our eyes and cause damage to irises.
2) Pollen and Dust
Even if you do not suffer from allergies, pollen and dust in the air can scratch and dry out our eyes during spring. Often, when storms approach, the wind will blow dirt and debris right into your eyes if you are caught outside.
3) The Sun
As you spend more time outdoors, your eyes are exposed to the bright light of the sun. The sun can damage your unprotected eyes.
4) Allergy Medication
Allergy medication is meant to reduce your body's overactive histamine response to allergens. Unfortunately, these medications can reduce moisture in your eyes, leading to redness and irritation.
5) Screen Time
While this is not an issue unique to spring, if your eyes are already prone to dryness and irritation, too much screen time will exasperate issues.
6) Sports and the Outdoors
Spring is the season for getting back out on the athletic field. Baseball, soccer, volleyball, football, softball, and tennis all present potential issues for your eyes. Sand from the volleyball court, dirt kicked up on the diamond, grass in your face on the soccer and football feet, and the flying projectiles in all those sports can introduce damaging particles into your eyes.
Mountain biking is among the most potentially dangerous sports for your eyes. Zipping through the woods on fast western North Carolina singletrack exposes your eyes to flying dirt, gravel, tree limbs, pine needles, and the sun.
7) Poor Nutrition
As your family is getting out of the house and you are shuttling kids between sports practices and extra-curricular activities, you may start to reintroduce the type of poor nutrition that can negatively impact your vision and eye health.
How to Protect Your Eyes During Spring
It is impossible to avoid all the dangers of spring in western North Carolina. Even if you remain indoors, which we do not recommend, you will still be exposed to pollen, dust, and dry air. The key is taking steps to protect your eyes:
- Wear Sunglasses: When you know your eyes are going to be exposed to the sun, make sure you are wearing sunglasses with UV protection.
- Wear Eye Protection: Wearing eye protection can save your eyes from damage while playing sports or mountain biking. In many cases, sunglasses will suffice for this as well.
- Take Screen Time Breaks: One of the best things you can do to reduce strain from screen time is taking frequent breaks.
- Wash Eyelids Carefully: Your lashes and eyelids may collect pollen and dust throughout the day during spring. Carefully wash your eyelids each evening.
- Use an Air Purifier: Your home is as likely to have irritating eye allergens as the outdoors. Consider using an air purifier in your home to reduce dust and pollen.
- Visit Your Eye Doctor: Visit your eye doctor for help protecting your eyes during spring.
Before you begin treating your dry eyes with artificial tears or eye drops, make sure you consult your trusted optometrist. Asheville Vision and Wellness have been treating dry eyes and vision issues for over thirty years in the Asheville area. We have seen the effects of spring dangers on eyes in western North Carolina. We can help you care for your eye health and vision while still enjoying this beautiful season. Contact Asheville Vision and Wellness for more information about eye health in western North Carolina.