A seasonal guide to healthy vision
Autumn presents a slightly different set of challenges for your eyes compared to summer. In this post, we'll explore the potential eye issues that come with autumn and provide practical tips to keep your vision healthy during this beautiful season.
1. Combat dry eye syndrome
One of the most common complaints in autumn is dry eyes. As the air cools and humidity levels drop, the moisture in the air decreases. This dry air, coupled with indoor heating, can lead to dry eyes, irritation, and discomfort.
Tips to prevent dry eyes:
Use a humidifier To add moisture back into the air, use a humidifier in your living and working spaces. It helps prevent your eyes from drying out by maintaining humidity levels.
Stay hydrated Drink plenty of water throughout the day to ensure that your eyes stay lubricated. Proper hydration supports tear production, which is essential for keeping your eyes moist.
Eye drops Use lubricating eye drops to moisturise your eyes if they feel dry.
2. Protect your eyes from UV rays
Even though the sun feels weaker in autumn, its UV rays are still present and can cause damage to your eyes. The glare from the sun, especially when it's lower in the sky, can be more intense during this season, particularly in the early mornings and late afternoons.
Tips to protect from UV exposure:
Wear sunglasses Continue to wear sunglasses with 100% UV protection when you're outside. Polarised lenses can help reduce glare from wet roads or shiny surfaces, making them a great choice for autumn.
Wide-brimmed hats For additional protection, a wide-brimmed hat can help shield your eyes from direct sunlight.
3. Take breaks from screens
As the days get shorter and colder, we naturally spend more time indoors, often in front of screens—whether for work, entertainment, or staying connected with friends. Prolonged exposure to screens can lead to digital eye strain or computer vision syndrome. Symptoms include headaches, blurred vision and eye fatigue.
Tips to reduce digital eye strain:
Follow the 20-20-20 rule Every 20 minutes, look at an object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This helps your eyes refocus and reduces strain.
Adjust lighting
Ensure your screen brightness matches the lighting in the room. Too much contrast can strain your eyes.
4. Maintain a healthy diet
As with any season, good nutrition plays a vital role in maintaining eye health. Autumn offers a variety of seasonal produce that can support your vision, especially foods rich in vitamins A, C, and E, as well as omega-3 fatty acids, which promote healthy eyes.
Autumn eye-friendly foods include:
Carrots and squash These are rich in beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A, a nutrient essential for night vision and dry eye prevention.
Leafy greens Spinach, kale, and other dark, leafy vegetables are full of lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidants that reduce the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts.
Fish Omega-3 fatty acids, found in oily fish like salmon, sardines, and mackerel, help reduce dry eyes and support overall eye health.
5. Beware of allergens
Autumn can also cause seasonal allergies, with an increase in weed pollen and air-born moulds. These allergens can irritate your eyes, causing redness, itching, and watering.
Tips to reduce eye allergies:
Limit outdoor exposure On days when allergens are high, avoid spending long periods outdoors, especially in windy conditions when pollen is more likely to be blown around.
Keep your home clean Vacuum regularly and change your bedding often to minimise allergens in your home.
Use allergy eye drops
Over-the-counter antihistamine eye drops can help soothe allergic reactions in your eyes, reducing redness and itching.
6. Schedule an eye exam
Autumn is the perfect time to check your eye health by scheduling a comprehensive eye exam. Cooler weather and changes in your routine may reveal underlying issues such as prescription changes and the onset of dry eye syndrome.
Why schedule an exam:
Update your prescription If you've noticed changes in your vision—whether for glasses or contact lenses—an eye exam will ensure you're seeing as clearly as possible.
Early detection of eye conditions Regular eye exams can catch early signs of conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, or macular degeneration before they progress.
We'll help get you ready for autumn
Autumn is a time of transition, and it's important to take a moment to adjust your eye care routine along with the season. By staying hydrated, protecting your eyes from UV rays, managing screen time, and nourishing your body with the right foods, you can enjoy the season while keeping your eyes healthy and comfortable. Regular check-ups with your optometrist will also ensure that any potential problems are addressed early on. Please contact us to arrange an appointment.