Wear Your Shades Year-Round

The weather is turning colder and the holiday season is approaching—but that doesn’t mean the sun’s UV rays are any less strong! If you’ve got your sunglasses tucked away for the winter, you need to think about pulling them out again.

The reality is that regardless of the season, the sun’s UV rays are still just as harmful to your vision. If you partake in outdoor winter activities such as skiing and snowboarding, you are especially susceptible to UV damage in the winter.

UV damage can cause photokeratitis (a painful “sunburn” on your cornea that can lead to temporary vision loss), as well as increase your risk for skin cancer on the eyelids and other conditions such as macular degeneration.
Here are a few precautions to take to protect your eyes from UV damage—year-round:

• Wear polarized sunglasses or goggles, especially when doing outdoor activities like skiing, fishing, or boating.
• Be sure your children’s eyes are also protected by polarized sunglasses.
• Remember that the highest levels of UV rays occur from the hours of about 10 AM – 3 PM.

Are you still wearing your shades even though the summer months have passed? Let me know in the comments below!

Eye Infection Prevention

We’ve all had the discomfort of an eye infection at one point or another. There are many causes for eye infections, but one of the biggest is touching your eyes, especially with unwashed hands. Here are some things to do to prevent eye infections from developing in the first place:

• Wash your hands frequently. Remember to have hand sanitizer nearby after computer use and makeup application. Avoid touching your eyes too frequently.
• Do not sleep in your contacts or share them with others.
• Clean your contacts regularly (as instructed by your optometrist).
• Regularly wash bedding, towels, and washcloths to prevent infection or the spread of infection.
• Avoid being in near proximity with anyone with “pink eye” or another type of eye infection.
• Do not wear your contacts past the schedule your optometrist recommends (for example, don’t wear daily disposable lenses for a week).
• Replace your contact lens case every few months or so, and be sure you clean it just as regularly as you do your contact lenses themselves.

If you believe you have an eye infection, don’t hesitate to contact our office. Diagnosing and treating an eye infection is essential to preventing long-term damage. Share your own thoughts in the comments below!

Theatrical Contacts: Safe or Not?

If you’re looking to add an extra touch of flair to your Halloween costume, you may be considering special-effects contact lenses. There are all kinds of fun options these days, from red and black lenses (to get the “undead” look) to black slit pupil lenses (for that extra feline touch).

But the question is, are theatrical contacts safe? Alarmingly, larger (supposedly) reputable companies like Urban Outfitters are now selling special-effects contacts. Some online companies even claim their theatrical contacts are FDA-approved. However, this is NOT the case.

Theatrical contacts can be perfectly safe, but purchasing them online without a prescription is an invitation for eye problems. They may be expired or unsterile. Whether you have perfect vision or not, you need to get a prescription from your friendly neighborhood eye doctor (me!) to ensure you’re getting your contacts legally and safely. Any online retailer that does not require a prescription is not being held to the same safety standards as reputable retailers.

As always, I welcome comments and questions below; or feel free to call the office to speak with someone about your specific situation.

Fighting Fall Allergies

Fall is the “other” eye allergy season for many folks. One of the primary causes for fall allergies is the common plant ragweed, which is found all over the country. Ragweed can produce tons of of pollen over one season, and is also widely distributed due to wind.

So what can you do to fight the havoc ragweed and other allergens wreak on your eyes? Here are a few suggestions:

• Eating right! Once again, proper nutrition can help you fight off symptoms of allergies. Think broccoli, kale, pumpkin, carrots, celery…foods that are rich in carotenoids are great for battling your allergies.
• Make an appointment with us to see if a preventative medication is appropriate for your situation. This can often help before it becomes a problem.
• Stay indoors when pollen is at its peak (often in the morning). Checking pollen counts in your area will help keep you informed.
• Consider switching to glasses if you’re a contact lens-wearer, at least for the allergy season. Or look into daily disposable contacts as an alternative—the less time you wear your contacts during allergy season, the better.

What are some ways you have found to successfully combat fall allergies? Share your tips in the comments below.