Is there anything more magical than a Chattanooga autumn? As the days grow short, the leaves bloom into their true colors, painting the mountains in brilliant golden hues. Blustery breezes chase the summer heat away, beckoning us outdoors to enjoy nature’s splendor.
Unfortunately, the same autumn breezes that refresh us can be hard on our eyes. Not only does wind dry the natural moisture on the eye’s surface, it carries ragweed pollen and other irritating allergens. Dry, itchy eyes are just one of the ways pumpkin spice season can affect your vision. Find out what you can do about it, and learn when a comprehensive eye exam is in order.
Fight Back Against Autumn Allergens
If you find yourself sniffling, sneezing, and rubbing your eyes this fall, seasonal pollen could be the culprit. Mold spores and other fungi also spread through the air, especially when raking piles of fallen leaves.
Allergies can develop suddenly, affecting you even if you’ve never experienced fall allergies before. You can’t stop nature from doing its thing, but you have several options to relieve fall allergy symptoms:
- Take over-the-counter antihistamines.
- Use a neti pot or saline spray to gently decongest your sinuses.
- Wear a mask while raking and dispose of it properly.
- Consume local raw honey to lower your histamine response over time.
Relieve Dry Eyes
Autumn breezes, outdoor fires, and central heating are great, but they can really dry out your eyes. Ask our optometrist, Dr. Kelly Herron, to recommend a good brand of lubricating eye drops and use them faithfully. Running a humidifier at home is also helpful. When you’re out and about, sunglasses with curved sides help shield your eyes from strong winds.
Protect Your Peepers
Fall is prime time for football (Go Vols!) and other team sports. If you have a student athlete on the field or court, adequate sports eye protection is essential. Note that regular eyeglasses do not sufficiently protect against sports-related eye injuries.
The same is true when doing yard work and fall projects around the house. Always wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying debris or harmful chemical splashes.
Indulge in Fall’s Harvest
Nature provides a cornucopia full of eye-friendly nutrients each autumn, many containing healthy doses of vitamin A, vitamin C, and other important antioxidants. Fruits and vegetables at their peak in fall include:
- Apples
- Beets
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Cranberries
- Pears
- Pomegranates
- Pumpkins
- Winter squash
Schedule Essential Exams
If you’re finding autumn eye symptoms too much to manage despite trying the tips above, Dr. Herron would love to help you! A board certified optometrist and residency trained doctor in ocular disease diagnosis and treatment, Dr. Herron is passionate about helping each patient achieve their best vision possible.
Even though the “-ber” months are busy ones, everyone has time for an efficient, compassionate comprehensive eye exam at Allied Eye. Schedule yours today by calling or texting (423) 855-8522.
