Spring heralds the arrival of warmer weather, a beautiful time to reduce the layers of clothes and enjoy the warmth the new season brings. However, remember that spring can present different challenges, especially for your eyes. As such, it pays to ensure they remain functional and healthy throughout the beautiful season.
Wearing sunglasses outdoors is among the simplest and most effective ways to care for your eyes this spring. The season with its bright sunlight causes eye discomfort and, worse, harm. The UV rays can cause eye conditions such as macular degeneration and cataracts. As such, it is ideal to invest in a pair of UV-protection sunglasses to wear outdoors.
When shopping, look for a pair of sunglasses with a label indicating it has lenses that provide 100% UV protection. You can also wear polarized lenses to reduce glare while driving or doing outdoor activities.
People who wear prescription glasses can consider getting prescription sunglasses. You can also get clop-on sunglasses to attach to your current pair of prescription glasses. It is vital to wear sunglasses even on cloudy days because UV rays can still penetrate the clouds.
Spring season is when flowers bloom and trees revive. With them, allergens fill the air, presenting risks to anyone’s eyes. Practice excellent cleanliness to reduce your risk of developing allergies. Use water and soap to wash your hands regularly to prevent the spread of allergens. Additionally, reduce the risk of introducing viruses and bacteria into your eyes by avoiding touching the eyes with your hands.
You may spend more time on your digital screens during spring due to more daylight hours. But these screens—whether your television, computer, or phone—can cause vision problems such as eyestrain and dryness if you spend long hours staring at them. You can avoid these problems by taking regular breaks from the screens and trying to blink frequently.
Use the 20-20-20 rule, where you take 20 seconds to break after staring at the screen for 20 minutes and looking at an object 20 feet away. Doing so will help reduce eyestrain and enable your eyes to rest. Blinking also helps spread the tear film across your eye surface for moisture and lubrication, reducing dryness and discomfort.
Hydration is always ideal for health, but more so for your eye health during this season. You are likely to be more active and sweat more in warm weather. This can lead to dehydration, which results in dry and irritated eyes.
Sip lots of water throughout the day to keep your eyes healthy. Experts recommend a daily intake of two liters or eight glasses of water every day.
Regular eye exams will help you maintain good eye health throughout the year, including this season. It will help with the early detection of eye diseases and vision problems for prompt treatment and management. Experts recommend taking annual eye exams for optimum eye health.
For more about caring for your eyes in spring, visit Eyes of Starwood at our office in Frisco, Texas. Call (972) 544-4300 to book an appointment today.