Understanding Vision Changes with the Seasons: How Autumn Affects Your Eyes
As the leaves change color and the air turns crisp, autumn brings a host of changes to our environment. While many of these changes are beautiful, they can also impact our eye health. Understanding how the shift in seasons affects your vision can help you take steps to protect your eyes and keep them comfortable as the weather cools.
Dry Eyes? Blame the Weather!
Ever notice your eyes feeling a bit... sandy when the weather turns cool? You're not alone! Autumn air often brings drier air, both indoors and outdoors. As we start using heaters to keep warm, indoor air can become particularly dry, leading to
symptoms of dry eye. This condition can cause discomfort, including itching, burning, and a gritty sensation in the eyes. To combat dry eyes, use artificial tears regularly and
stay well-hydrated. Consider running a humidifier in your home or office to add moisture to the air.
Increased Screen Time
As the days get shorter, we tend to spend more time cozied up indoors, often binge-watching our favorite shows or scrolling through social media. While it's super tempting, our eyes might not be too thrilled about all that extra screen time. Whether the extra screen time is for work, school, or leisure activities, extended use of digital devices can strain your eyes and lead to digital eye strain.
Protect your eyes by following the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away.
Allergy Alert!
Think Spring is the only allergy season? Think again! Fall brings its own set of sneeze-inducing culprits like ragweed and mold. For some of us, that means red, itchy, watery eyes. If you are prone to fall
allergies, take preventive measures by avoiding known allergens and using allergy eye drops to soothe irritated eyes.
Lower Humidity and Wind Exposure
Those picturesque fall days with leaves swirling in the breeze can be tough on our eyes. Wind can make our tears evaporate faster, leading to more dryness.
UV Protection Still Matters
Don't be fooled by cooler temperatures – UV rays can still harm your eyes in fall. Always wear
UV-protective sunglasses when spending time outside, especially during early morning and late afternoon when the sun is low in the sky.
Tips for Autumn Eye Care
- Use a humidifier to add moisture to indoor air
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day
- Blink frequently, especially when using digital devices
- Wear sunglasses to protect against wind and UV rays
- Avoid rubbing your eyes if experiencing allergy symptoms
Schedule Your Fall Eye Exam
As the seasons change, so do your eye care needs. Don't let autumn's unique challenges impact your vision and comfort. Blake Bush Family Eye Care is a family-focused optometry practice and we're here to ensure your eyes stay healthy year-round. Schedule your comprehensive eye exam today.
