Staying Safe and Healthy as the Weather Changes
Fall is in the air; the leaves are turning; the air is crisp. It’s time to shift gears and begin to prepare for the holiday season and the winter to come. And, along with the change in the season comes a change in how you need to take care of your eyes in order to properly maintain your vision.
Fall brings unique challenges to the health and safety of your eyes that may not at first seem evident. Between the shift in the arc of the sun overhead, unique allergens that can affect your contacts, and the challenges of heading back to school, there are many things that you can do to protect your vision, eye health, and eye safety as we move into the new season.
Back to School & Halloween
Fall can be an especially challenging time for children’s eyesight and eye health. With the return to school, your children may be facing a shift in their eyesight that may not have been noticeable over the summer. Make sure that your kids are prepared to do their best over the school year by making fall the season for your family’s annual eye exams.
Fall also brings another eye danger for children in the form of Halloween. Make sure that the whole family wears eye protection for pumpkin carving. Many Halloween costumes call for makeup around the eyes and for those unfamiliar or unpracticed with applying makeup, it can be a major eye irritant—especially the cheap makeup purchased for costume use.
Accessories like swords, pitchforks, wands, etc. can also pose a threat to eye safety. Make sure to supervise your children through the holiday to make sure they’re safe.
The Slanting Sun May Affect Vision
Most people retire their sunglasses as the season changes and leaves begin to fall, but this is a mistake in terms of eye health. The sun, though it may be obscured by clouds, still delivers enough UV rays during the fall to damage your eyesight. Also, with the change in angle of the sun during this season, your eyes may be at additional risk for damage by prolonged contact with the sun. A good general rule to remember is that if your shadow is taller than you are, then you need to protect your eyes.
Wearing Contacts in the Autumn
Autumn can also be challenging for those who wear contacts. Autumn brings new allergens into play that may have lain dormant over the summer where you live. Also, no matter how regimented you are in keeping your contacts clean, they will have built up pollen and dust residue over the summer. Unless you wear disposable lenses, fall may be the perfect season to switch to a new pair.
Eye Health in the Fall
Protecting your eyes this fall is a simple affair. Remember to wear your sunglasses, especially when then sun is angled into your eyes. Get your vision checked. Swap out your contact lenses for new ones. And, watch out for the unique dangers posed by Halloween.