Whether it’s dealing with dry eyes in the winter or preventing too much sun exposure in the summer, caring for your eyes and contact lenses is a year-round task that varies from season to season. With each new season comes new and different reasons to protect your eyes; here’s some ways you can protect your eyes and contact lenses all year round.
Summer
While the sunny weather, swimming pools, and longer days of summer make it a favorite season of many, UV exposure, frequent sunscreen application, and time spent swimming can mean extra work for contact lens wearers. While we’ve all experienced the painful sting of sunscreen in our eyes, this can be especially painful for contact lens wearers. While ignoring sunscreen altogether isn’t an option, you can prevent the painful stinging by always washing your hands after applying sunscreen and other lotions. To protect your eyes from harmful UV rays, never leave the house without a pair of UV-blocking sunglasses. Before diving into a pool, beach, or river, remove your contact lenses – exposure to bacteria in the water can cause eye infections and irritation.
Autumn
Although the change in weather tends to be mild, some contact lens wearers start to experience dry eyes and irritation during the fall season. In most cases, lubricated eye drops can help minimize these effects. One thing contact lens wearers should be aware of during the autumn months are the effects Halloween make-up and special effect contacts can have on the eyes. When applying eye-makeup, be sure to wash your hands before and after application, check expiration dates, and keep all equipment clean. If you’re purchasing special effects lenses as a part of your Halloween costume, be sure to purchase them from a reputable supplier and follow all manufacturer instructions for proper wear.
Winter
Although the winter season is typically wet and cold, it’s not uncommon for people to suffer from dry eyes during the winter months. When it’s cold, wet, or snowing outside but warm inside, the combination of weather can cause tears to evaporate sooner. Additionally, winter is a prime season for eye diseases caused by drastic temperature changes as you walk in and out of different places. In order to prevent dry eyes, try using a humidifier in areas with indoor heating; the heat tends to dry the moisture in the air, and a humidifier can help balance this out. Lubricated eye drops can help add moisture to the eyes, and staying hydrated and Omega 3 can help improve ocular comfort.
Spring
Spring is especially tough for contact lens wearers because allergies are always worse during these months. As more pollen enters the air, red, puffy, and itchy eyes can become the norm. If your eye allergies can’t be calmed with rewetting drops or over-the-counter medications, speak with your eye care professional about making the switch to daily disposables – they’re recommended for contact lens wearers with allergies over other types of contact lenses since they’re discarded after each use and eliminate the accumulation of allergy-causing debris on the lenses. Other tips include wearing eyeglasses on especially windy days and washing your hands on a frequent basis.
