Although autumn has already come, the allergy attacks are not done yet. Allergens remain suspended in the air from spring to fall. The National Institutes of Health have data showing that debris and dry wind trigger optical problems. That is why you should also be ready to protect your eyes as the cool breeze sets in. Here’s what you need to know about the four common fall eye problems.
 

Reduced Hours of Daylight

Days become shorter in the fall season. This means that you will be doing more outdoor activities in dim (dusk) or dark (night) surroundings. Poor lighting usually puts a strain on your vision. Driving or reading road signs becomes more difficult because of the strong, glaring lights from approaching vehicles. It gets worse when you wear eyeglasses or contacts. To help you see better, you can ask your eye care provider about anti-glare lenses. Always keep your eyeglasses clean because the smudge can make it more difficult for you to see.
 

Dry Eye Syndrome

Eye experts warn against the cool air outdoors because it is also dry air. The lack of moisture in the air can irritate your skin and eyes. When you get back inside your home, you turn on your heating system. The heated air indoors is also dry, which makes the irritation in your eyes worse. You can ease the symptoms of your dry eye symptoms by turning on your humidifier or by using over-the-counter eye drops.
 

Cold Season Allergies

When the cold months arrive, you tend to lower or even turn off your ventilation. This triggers dander and dust mite allergies. If the proper circulation of fresh air stops, debris and dust settle. Your eyes then become red, itchy, and watery. Preventing this is important especially if you do most of your work at home. You can open more windows to increase the ventilation in your space. Dust your fans and furniture daily to prevent particles from collecting. You can also take over-the-counter allergy relievers. For more advanced symptoms, talk to your eye doctor about your eye irritation.
 

Fall Ultraviolet (UV) Light

As autumn arrives, the sun changes its position in the sky. It stays at a specific angle that harms your eyesight. Your brow bone cannot protect your eyes against the rays. Because of this, you should bring out your UV protective eyewear again this fall. Note that although the sky becomes mostly cloudy during autumn, UV rays still pass through the clouds. Without proper eye protection, you can still develop serious eye diseases like macular degeneration or cataracts.
 

Fall eye problems may be common, but it does not mean you should just endure them. You can make small changes in your eyewear, home, or workplace to spare your eyes from irritants. At City Eyes Optometry Center, we can help ease your eye issues during every seasonal change. Please visit our clinic in Sherman Oaks, California, for a one-on-one consultation. You can also call us at 818-960-1300 if you want to schedule an appointment. We can answer your questions about our solutions to seasonal eye problems.