The nippy breeze of autumn carries various irritants that could rival pollen in the spring. Fall is a time for more seasonal allergies. The National Institutes of Health elaborate that different allergens from grasses and trees stay and float in the air from spring to fall. Allergies from these irritants can make eye problems surface. Here’s what you need to know about the four common eye problems in the fall.
 

Ultraviolet (UV) Danger

In autumn, clouds usually blanket the sky. Even so, you should not dismiss the UV light that still passes through them. Despite the cloudy surroundings, wear your UV protective eyewear. Clouds cannot filter UV rays. The radiation will still reach your skin and your eyes. Without proper protection, you can develop eye growths such as pterygium and pinguecula. You also have a high risk of developing macular degeneration or cataracts. You can increase your UV protection by wearing a wide-brimmed hat whenever the sun peeks out. Doing this can make your time outdoors safer and more pleasant.
 

Dry Eye Syndrome

Cool, dry air outdoors in the fall can irritate your skin and eyes. When you step inside your home, it’s the same thing. The heating system dries the circulating air, irritating your eyes and skin further. You then develop dry eyes syndrome, which makes wearing contact lenses or working on your computer extremely difficult. To counter the dryness of the air around you, use a humidifier that adds moisture in the air. You can also use over-the-counter eye drops to ease the symptoms. If your dry eye symptoms don’t go away, you should see your ophthalmologist. Certain prescription medications can help your dry eyes.
 

Winter Allergies

The cold months make allergies to animal dander and dust mites worse. This may be the result of decreased ventilation in the office or your home. If your environment does not have fresh air circulating, irritants like dust and debris tend to settle. The particles then irritate your eyes, causing them to itch and become watery. You can decrease or eliminate your eye problem this autumn if you:
 

• Dust the ceiling fans and furniture daily. Particles settle on these items. Clean them regularly to prevent dust from accumulating.

• Increase your ventilation. Open the windows in your office or home. This will allow more fresh air into your space.

• Take allergy medicines. Your local pharmacy has over-the-counter allergy medications that can bring temporary relief to your eye allergies.

Fewer Hours of Daylight

Days get shorter in the fall. Because of this, you would have to commute or drive at sundown or at night. Strong headlights from vehicles and dim areas can hurt your eyes. Anti-glare lenses can help tone down the effect of the lights. Make sure your glasses are clean. Any smudge can strain your eyes further or obstruct your eyesight more.
 

Fall allergies can trigger eye problems. Be prudent and prepare. At Insight Eyecare, we can help you deal with your persistent seasonal eye issues. Please visit our clinic in Las Vegas, Nevada, for an in-person consultation. You can also call us at 702-718-7163 if you want to set an appointment. We can answer your questions about our solutions to various fall eye problems.