Your eyes can become more irritated with smoke in the air. With the increase in wildfires, your eyes may be red and scratchy, maybe even with blurred vision. Here are some helpful tips:
- Do not rub your eyes! You could accidentally scratch your corneas, and it will also lead to further irritation.
- Lubricate. Use some over-the-counter (OTC) drops such as Systane or Refresh and put them in often. Preservative-free drops work well for this. Do not use “get the red out” drops.
- Cool Compresses. A cool, clean, damp cloth can feel wonderful and help with inflammation and redness.
- Stay inside! Try to avoid the polluted air (if possible and safe). Also, make sure your central air conditioning unit has a new filter.
- Glasses. Try to avoid using your contact lenses when the air is polluted with smoke. This can reduce the inflammatory effects.
If your eyes continue to bother you, make an appointment with your eye care professional.
