Fall Tips for Dry Eye Sufferers

Happy Fall Y'all!

Fall is here.  Lots of people tell me that fall is their favorite season.  Usually, after the incredible heat of a Louisiana summer, we are ready to enjoy some chill in the air.  Of course, with a change in seasons, there are different things that dry eye sufferers need to take note of.  I've got a few tips to help your eyes stay comfortable during this fall season. 

Control Your Outdoor Environment

This time of year, people are usually out (thanks COVID) enjoying football games, apple picking, pumpkin patches, hayrides, and maybe even a bonfire.  With all these fun outdoor activities, what could go wrong for a dry eye sufferer?

Allergies

Anytime there is a change in season, there is a change in the plant life surrounding you.  So, perhaps you weren't allergic to the grass you needed to cut during the summer, but you are allergic to the mold growing under the wet leaves in your yard.  

Be conscientious of whether your eyes are feeling dry and scratchy or watery and itchy.  If you don't pay attention, you may think it is the same symptoms you always have any time of the year.  However, a subtle difference in symptoms may direct your treatment towards allergy instead of dryness.  

The two hallmarks of allergy are watering and itching.  If your eye symptoms have shifted in this direction, it can make your dry eyes more miserable.  If you suspect an allergy, check out this blog on how to soothe your allergy eyes when you already have dry eyes.

Also, try to be really conscientious about fires.  Bonfires and fireplaces certainly are fun, but smoke and dry eyes really don't mix. If you need to be around a fire or spend some extended time in a smokey environment you can take some preventative action to keep your dry eyes happy.

First, try to maneuver yourself so that you are not in a direct line with the smoke coming off the fire.  Smoke blowing directly into your face is like kryptonite. 

Then, carry some artificial tears with you.  Rinsing the smoke from your eyes is the best way to alleviate the irritation it is bringing to your eyes.  I always prefer for you to use a preservative-free artificial tear.  These are available in small single serving vials, a special multi-dose bottle, and now in a spray.

Optase just recently started distributing its artificial tear spray in the U.S. from Ireland. The spray is quite fun and easy to use.  You just close your eyes and spritz it at your eyes rather than putting a drop in. You can now find this brand at CVS Pharmacy.  They make a preservative-free drop in a multi-dose bottle as well as the dry eye spray. 

Control Your Indoor Environment

This time of a year, we're starting to turn our heaters back on and heaters tend to dry out the air around us. For us dry eye sufferers, that drier air can be a killer on our eyes.  I've got a couple of tips to add moisture back into your eyes. 

#1) Use a Humidifier

Place a humidifier next to your desk, by your bedside, and even in the living room.  Ideally, use the humidifier in any room where you spend lots of time.  This will keep the air around you moist and in turn keep your eyes moist.

#2) Use an Artificial Tear Gel or Ointment

If you tend to wake up with dry eyes, using a gel or ointment is a great way to keep your eyes happier.  The thicker formulation of the gel drop or ointment lasts longer in your eyes.  Only use these at bedtime since they can temporarily blur your vision. 

If you are using the gel drop, simply put a drop inside your eyes the same as you would any other drop.  If you need some pointers on how to use drops, check out this blog post. 

With the ointment, place a small amount on a clean fingertip and wipe the ointment into the eye.  I like to touch the ointment to the white part of my eye while looking up.  This gets it off your finger and keeps it in your eyes.  

Using a gel or ointment right before you hit the pillow will keep your eyes moisturized while you're sleeping all night. You will wake up with eyes that feel soothed and comfortable.  

Halloween - Control what you put in and around your eyes.

My kiddos are so excited about Halloween and we enjoy dressing up at the office as well.  Last year, I wore a unicorn costume with purple colored contact lenses to match my purple costume.

Colored and cosmetic contact lenses are prescription devices.  Make sure that you purchase your colored or costume contact lenses from an eye doctor's office, not from the flea market or online. Buying lenses outside of a professional setting is risky.  You don't know where those contact lenses are coming from or if they are expired or otherwise contaminated. 

If you purchase contact lenses from non-professional retailers, you are risking the health of your eyes.   Contact lenses are medical devices and are specifically fitted to the shape and power of your own eyes.  They need to be fitted by a professional.  See your eye doctor this Halloween if you want to wear colored or costume contact lenses.

Conclusion

Changes in weather can bring a new set of challenges to dry eye sufferers.  The secret to keeping your eyes feeling great this fall is by taking charge of both your indoor and outdoor environments. Use humidifiers and artificial tears indoors and be mindful of fall allergens and spending time around fires outdoors.  Finally, don't let your eyes get spooky this Halloween - always purchase your costume contact lenses from a professional!