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
Post a Comment