Brace yourselves, winter is coming and so are dry eyes! Winter weather conditions are one of the leading causes for dry eye symptoms. This is because the air has less moisture, the wind is likely to be more intense and the cold can wick away the eye’s natural lubricant, tears. Experiencing dry eye symptoms is very common. In fact, it’s experienced by nearly 20 million Americans.  

Dry Eye Causes

Other causes for dry eye symptoms could include:   

• Age  
• Allergies  
• Environmental conditions  
• Gender  
• Medications and/or medical conditions   

Over-The-Counter Remedies 

Sometimes, dry eyes can be improved at home with over-the-counter treatments including¹: 

• Unclogging oil glands in the eyelid (meibomian glands) with warm compresses 
• Cleansing your eyelids to remove oil and debris 
• Blinking more frequently will allow natural tears to lubricate your eyes 
• Eating foods naturally high in omega 3, like salmon, can improve the quality of oil in tears to prevent them from evaporating too quickly  
• Drinking plenty of water 
• Wearing wraparound sunglasses to protect your eyes from harsh wind and sun  
• Using a humidifier, especially in a dry climate like Colorado, can keep the eyes moisturized even in the driest of months 

Medical Intervention

If these tips don’t help your dry eye symptoms, you might be experiencing chronic dry eye disease. An annual comprehensive eye exam with an optometrist near you can help to diagnose if you are not producing enough tears or if the tears being produced are of good quality. Some treatments² your optometrist might suggest include:  

• Prescription eye drops or artificial tears that can ease inflammation in the eyes or add more moisture.   
• The use of punctal plugs in your tear ducts to stop excessive tear loss.   
• Intense-pulsed light (IPL) therapy and eyelid massage to decrease moderate to severely dry eyes.   
• Changing the type of contacts you use to potentially improve the dry eye symptoms you’re experiencing.   

Optometrists are a great resource to find dry eye relief in the winter or anytime of the year. Dry eye conditions are not usually harmful, however, leaving them untreated can cause great irritation and may even affect your vision. In extreme cases, damage to the cornea (the front surface of the eye) can occur if it is not adequately protected by your tear film. Discuss with your optometrist which treatment options and symptom management tools are best for you during your annual comprehensive eye exam!      

References:    

1. https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/dry-eyes-home-remedies  

1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-eyes/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20371869 

Did you know that there will be an annular solar eclipse happening on October 14, 2023? That’s right, and most of Colorado will be able to witness up to 80% of obstruction! An annular solar eclipse is when the Moon does not completely cover the Sun and it will look like a dark disc with a bright reddish-orange ring around it. This is a wonderful opportunity to view a very rare event, but it must be done with caution. According to NASA¹ “viewing any part of the bright Sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury.” The sun is incredibly powerful and looking at it without protection will permanently damage the central vision in your eye. 

The good news is that we’ve compiled a list of ways to safely view this rare occurrence! When in doubt consult an optometrist near you to help determine the best options for viewing the annular solar eclipse. 

Some options to safely view the solar eclipse are²: 

• Solar eclipse glasses  
  Use expert-approved solar “eclipse glasses” to view a solar eclipse safely and without damaging your eyes. You must wear your eye protection the entire time while watching a solar eclipse.   
• Pinhole projection  
  This is the safest and most inexpensive way to watch a solar eclipse. This helps you avoid looking directly at the eclipse by using a projected image. Learn how to make this DIY project here³!   
• Welder’s glass  
  You can find number 14 welder’s glass at your local welder’s supply or home improvement store. Welder’s glass will reduce the harmful rays that are emitted during the eclipse.  
• Mylar filters  
  Aluminized mylar plastic sheets are available as eclipse vision glasses or can be cut and made into a viewing box. Do not use if there are any scratches or damage to the sheet.  
• Additional options  
  You are always able to view the solar eclipse on TV or at a planetarium near you. 

Now that you know the “Dos” for safely watching a solar eclipse, we’ll share the “Don’ts”.   

Do NOT use:  

• Smartphone  
  You might accidentally look at the sun when trying to line up the smartphone’s camera. This is dangerous for your eyes and the smartphone.  
• Camera viewfinder  
  Looking through the viewfinder of a camera is almost the same as looking directly at the sun with your own eyes. It is dangerous and can lead to eclipse blindness. 
• Unsafe filters  
  Unless specifically designed for viewing a solar eclipse, no filter is safe to use with any optical device (telescopes, binoculars, etc.). Using unspecified filters can increase your risk of damaging your eyes.  

  With any of these methods, make sure that the products are not damaged, scratched or broken to ensure maximum eye protection. Also remember, if you wear corrective lenses, place the eclipse viewers over your glasses so you can see the natural event clearly and safely! 

Solar eclipses are an exciting and rare event for most people to witness but be sure that you are properly prepared and protected when the time comes. For any more information on how to keep your eyes protected and healthy now or any other time of the year, reach out to an optometrist near you! 

1. 1. https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/eclipses/2023/oct-14-annular/safety/
   2. https://preventblindness.org/solar-eclipse-and-your-eyes/#:~:text=Never%20look%20directly%20at%20the,permanent%20damage%20to%20your%20eyes.
   3. https://youtu.be/NiT_KHRlSHQ?si=MMNiP-Pc1BTJGIF_

The end of the year is fast approaching, and your health benefits are expiring! You might already be feeling anxiety for the upcoming holiday season, but don’t let worry set in about any health funds that you haven’t spent yet for the year. Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) are great benefits for your health, however the dollars that have been put aside are use-it-or-lose-it and will likely be forfeited if not used by the December deadline. What better way to use these funds than by ensuring that your vision and eye health are taken care of and in the best shape possible.

You could utilize your health funds towards an annual comprehensive eye examination. A comprehensive eye exam is a great way to check in on your overall health, as optometrists can diagnose over 270 diseases. Knowing what is going on with your health will help you decide the next steps you need to take. Not only will your comprehensive eye exam give you insight into your overall health, but it will also make you aware of any vision or eye health problems that you need to consider and correct. 

Your HSA/FSA account can also be used for glasses and contact lenses. If you wear contact lenses, replacing those lenses at the prescribed frequency is an integral part of your continued eye health and reduces your risk of infection and irritation.  Your glasses protect your eyes daily from harmful UV and blue light. Updating your glasses for optimal vision, having a back up to your contact lenses or just looking fantastic is a great use of those funds. 

Don’t forget about the rest of your family! 80% of information we take in every day is visual.  Vision correction benefits children in the classroom both academically and emotionally. Poor vision can lead to learning problems and low self-esteem. Be sure to set your children up for success by simply scheduling an appointment with an optometrist in your area. If you don’t have an optometrist yet, find one here!  

If you aren’t sure exactly what you can spend your health spending account dollars on, talk with your optometrist or their office staff as they can point you in the right direction. They work with individuals every year who are up against similar deadlines, so they can offer their expertise when it comes to which items are covered or not. They can also help you pick out a perfect pair of spectacles or sunglasses that will be the perfect fit for your style.

Plan for next year! Ask your optometrist or their staff for an itemized bill. That can help plan what to set aside for next year. Ensure you are taking care of all the visual needs of you and your family.Consider scheduling your family’s annual comprehensive eye exams earlier in the year or even right before school starts, especially if you have kids, so that everyone can enjoy the beautiful Colorado views clearly and healthily!