Although some areas are still seeing a dusting of snow, spring is finally here. With the arrival of all the blooming trees, grasses and flowers, comes the dreaded spring allergy season. While many focus on their sinus issues during allergy season, eye care is just as important. Read on to learn how to take care of your eyes with this spring eye care guide.
To learn more about eye health and if you are eligible for LASIK in Orange County visit the top orange county eye doctor, Dr. Ghosheh today.
Allergy-Affected Eyes
Spring allergies can bring miserable conditions as flowers bloom after those spring rains and the grass also begins to grow again after the winter freeze. Depending on where you live, tree pollen can also cause major sinus issues all the way through May. The grass pollen reaches its peak in June so be aware of the triggers that can set off your symptoms.
While sinus issues tend to take center stage, the impact spring allergies have on your eyes can also be extremely unpleasant. It’s not uncommon to experience redness, swelling and tearing and younger allergy sufferers can also experience black eyes. This happens when swelling damages, the sensitive blood vessels around the eyes.
If you find yourself fighting these symptoms during the peak spring allergy season, resist the urge to rub your eyes. While a natural response to the redness and itchy sensation that comes with allergies, rubbing can introduce bacteria into the eye which can then lead to infection. In severe cases and if left untreated, an infection can physically wear away the cornea, a condition called keratoconus.
There are several ways to protect your eyes during spring allergy season. You can take over-the-counter medications to help keep symptoms manageable and you can make sure you use a HEPA filter indoors, close your windows during peak pollen days, and wear a mask when working out in the yard.
Sun Protection
Once those long, dark days of winter are over, and the sun is finally shining, we usually can’t wait to head outside and are quick to grab that sunscreen. But do we think about protecting our eyes from the dangers of the sun? The UV light from the sun can wreak havoc on unprotected eyes. Did you know that a condition like a sun burn can cause inflamed, gritty-feeling eyes? It’s called photokeratitis and if left unchecked, long-term exposure to harmful UV rays can increase your chances of cataracts and could even cause permanent damage to your optic nerve.
Investing in a quality pair of shades with polarized lenses can solve your problem and reduce the glare those UV rays throw at your eyes. However, if you are going to find yourself regularly working in your yard or garden, you should invest in some more heavy-duty eye wear and purchase a pair of safety goggles.
Getting your yard and garden back in shape after a long winter involves a lot of fertilizing, mowing and weeding. Each of these necessary tasks can put your eyes at risk. Mowing or using an edger can throw debris back at the operator at lighting speed thanks to those quickly rotating blades. If a small rock or sizeable speck of dirt or a stick comes back and hits you in the eye, you could find yourself in major trouble. Injuries range from bleeding inside of the eye to broken orbital bones to lacerations to the cornea. Keep yourself out of the emergency room by investing in quality eye wear.
LASIK in Orange County
Just like any health checkup, it is important to get your eyes checked regularly. If you suffer from chronic dry eyes, blurry vision or have allergy-affected eyes, visit Dr. Ghosheh and his team at Advanced Eye Medical. Don’t let problems with your vision become a more serious health issue. Schedule your consultation today to learn more about receiving LASIK in Orange County.