Struggling With Dry Eyes And Allergies? Check Out These Remedies That Provide Real Relief

The leaves are falling, there's a chill in the air... and your eyes are drier than ever, thanks to allergies. Luckily, there are several things that you can do to help combat dry eyes associated with allergies and seasonal changes.

Talk to Your Optometrist

First, it's important to mention your dry eyes to your eye care professional. While many causes of dry eye are not causes for concern, ongoing dry eye may indicate a more serious condition. If you experience dry eyes more than occasionally, scheduling an appointment to ensure that you're not suffering from an underlying concern is a smart move.

Artificial Tears

Artificial tears can go a long way in helping your eyes to make up for a lack of natural tears due to allergy related irritation. Prescription and over the counter artificial tears are both good options to help your eyes get the moisture they need during allergy season.

Limit Time Outdoors

While it's great to be outside in the fall, seasonal changes can wreak havoc on allergies. You may want to think about limiting the time that you spend outdoors in order to keep your symptoms (including dry eyes) at bay. Many people find that the more time they spend outdoors, the worse their allergy symptoms get. Limiting yourself to an hour or two a day may be enough to curb your symptoms.



Take Proper Care of Contact Lenses

If you wear contact lenses, it's essential that you follow the care instructions exactly. This means changing your lenses on time, every time, never sleeping in your lenses, and following all suggested protocols for cleaning your lenses. Allergens can easily build up on the surface of your lenses over time, and wearing them for longer than suggested can result in a stark increase in allergy symptoms. If you find that you're struggling to wear contacts comfortably during allergy season, talk with your eye doctor about other options, or switch to glasses until your symptoms subside.

Keep Hands Away From Eyes

In today's world of the coronavirus, there are many reasons why it's a good idea to get out of the habit of touching your eyes. Every time you touch your eyes, you're introducing allergens, viruses, and other contaminants. Keeping your hands away from your eyes is key for both your overall and your ocular health.

Try OTC Medications, But Be Careful

While over the counter allergy medications can work well for some symptoms, they may actually exacerbate dry eyes. Antihistamines tend to have a drying effect, and while this is great for your sinuses, it can be detrimental to your eye health. If you use over the counter allergy medications, pay close attention to the effect the medications have on your eyes.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The actual Ophthalmologist Technologist Profession

Waterfall Surgery Complications

What is the significance of fuzzy vision, and should you worry?