Fall Eye Care Tips:

Fall is a lovely time of year. The stunning foliage, seasonal meals and decorations, and pleasant breezes create a unique, quirky, and intimate atmosphere. As the weather cools and seasonal trappings appear, some seasonal risks will emerge as well. Those of us in the eye care field want to ensure that our patients can see that gorgeous foliage, so we are happy to offer tips. Read on for some excellent autumn eye care advice from a local Redding CA  eye doctor.

Consume Fall Colors.

Nutrition is extremely important for the overall health of your eyes. Our easiest tip? Fill your plate with brightly colored fruits and vegetables. Many foods with vibrant hues are beneficial for your eyes! This is definitely one way to take advantage of the fall color schemes. A lot of those seasonal favorites contain the vitamins, minerals, and nourishment your eyes require.

Some examples:

• Cranberries
• Pomegranates
• Squash 
• Apples
• Pumpkin
• Sweet Potatoes
• Beets
• Turnips

Even some of the popular autumn spices and condiments can be useful. Cinnamon, for example, is high in beta carotene, a powerful antioxidant that benefits the eyes. Nutmeg is also being studied for its ocular benefits.

Get Ahead Of Allergies

The fall season can be particularly unpleasant for allergy sufferers. Pollen, pet dander, dust, and mold can all cause irritation in the eyes. Certain plants, such as ragweed, produce a lot of pollen at this time of year, and many grasses pollinate around this time of year.

You may want to purchase an excellent air purifier. To limit the number of airborne allergens in your home, you should dust and vacuum on a regular basis.

If you suffer from allergies, you may get red, watery eyes. Eye drops can provide relief, but be sure you’re using the appropriate kind. Using the wrong one may dry out your eyes and cause more harm than good. Consult your Redding CA optometrist about the various products and options to determine what is best for you.

Protect Your Eyes While Doing Yard Work

When it comes time to rake leaves and clean up, it’s definitely worth taking extra precautions to protect your eyes. Even little twigs and leaves can cause serious issues if you get them in your eyes. In fact, this can result in fungal keratitis, a fungal infection that you really do not want. (Trust us on that one!)

Wear protective goggles or glasses while working in the yard. If you wear contacts, make sure to thoroughly clean and disinfect them when you’re finished with your chores. For more information, call us.

Take Steps to Prevent Sports Injuries

Returning to school and activities might lead to increased risk of injuries, including eye injuries. Some sports, of course, carry more risk than others. Always wear the necessary eye protection, such as goggles, helmets, or hats.

Athletes may also wish to reconsider their vision wear options. Glasses and sports do not mix well at all! Normal eyeglasses not only provide no protection, but they might also exacerbate injuries, and can even cause them if they break.

Get Your Eyes Checked

This is also an excellent time for annual eye exams. If you have small children, do not assume that the eye examinations they receive at school are equivalent to a full eye exam. These are only the most basic and elementary evaluations of a child’s vision. There are numerous flaws that these tests will not detect. If you and/or your children haven’t had a test in a while, immediately book an appointment.

Don’t Forget To Wear Sunglasses

Sunglasses are commonly linked with summer, but they really shouldn’t be. Eye protection is essential year-round! Wearing decent sunglasses is one of the most effective ways to keep your eyes protected and healthy. Always choose ones that offer comprehensive UV protection.

Keep Your Hands Clean

When kids return to school, they typically bring more than just their homework back with them. We see a lot of conjunctivitis (pinkeye) around this time of year. Autumn is also the peak season for colds and flu. Wash your hands frequently to reduce the risk of contagion. This is also something you would want to instill in your children. 

Be Careful With Halloween Costumes

Halloween’s costumes and celebrations are getting more and more popular by the year, but there are some drawbacks to consider.

Be Wary Of Theatrical Lenses

Be wary of theatrical lenses. Many of them are not as safe as they promise to be, and can cause infections and eye damage. This is one area where you don’t want to cut corners! 

Here are some tips for using theatrical lenses.

• Don’t Share: Contact lenses are personal items that should never be shared with anyone. Otherwise, you risk contracting dangerous diseases! 
• Don’t Wear Them If They Hurt: We understand how much fun it can be to wear lizard eyes, blacked-out eyes, or Game of Thrones Night King eyes. However, do not choose enjoyment over safety. If your theatrical lenses irritate or burn your eyes, remove them immediately and call us. Better safe than sorry!
• Buy From Reputable Sellers: Lenses offered at novelty stores frequently promise to be safe; however, this is not always the case. Reputable vendors will always request a prescription. Even if you only want to spook out your pals with contacts that are red, yellow, or even have teeth, you should always call us or a professional eye care center before purchasing theatrical lenses. Avoid purchasing lenses from flea markets, international budget stores, or novelty shops. Halloween stores are also an issue. Many of these retailers sell contacts illegally. While purchasing your lenses from a professional eye-care clinic may be a bit more costly, preserving your eyes is extremely vital and well worth the extra money.
• Get A Proper Prescription: You do not want to cut this corner! See your eye doctor and receive a prescription. Even if you don’t need vision correction, it’s important that you get contacts that fit the shape and size of your eyes. Otherwise, you risk developing major medical conditions such as corneal ulcers, infections, and even blindness.
• Take Good Care of Them: Theatrical lenses, like conventional contact lenses, must be cleaned thoroughly after usage. Call us for precise suggestions. Also, do not wear your zombie lenses for longer than the product instructions specify. This can also be quite harmful!

Zombie, vampire, alien, and cat-eye contacts are all wonderful additions to a costume. You can surely elevate your Halloween outfit with these. Just make sure you wear them safely.

Keep Eye Safety in Mind With Accessories

Theatrical contacts are not the only aspect of a costume that can be problematic. Wands, glitter, hair paint, and even cosmetics can cause eye problems. Avoid getting chemicals into your eyes, and exercise caution while handling anything sharp, sparkly, or spiky. If you have children, you should bear this in mind when choosing their costumes as well. 

Book An Appointment At Our Redding CA  Vision Care Center

Have you got any questions or worries about your eye prescription? Would you like to obtain theatrical lenses? Contact us here at Redding Eyecare Center, your Redding CA  vision care clinic, anytime. We are always happy to help!