Skip to content
Back To Blog

Warning: Use Caution With The Following Fall Activities

While many people like to talk about the harm that can be done to the eyes by excessive screen time, there’s a lot more to preventing eye strain and damage than cutting down on device use. In fact, vision care should be prioritized in a variety of contexts, and eye care should be viewed as a year-round need. To that end, here are some seasonal activities we recommend approaching with care - and eye protection.

Yard Work

In Arizona, we don’t experience the seasons like others do across the country. But, we still have our share, however small, of deciduous trees that lose some leaves during autumn. Whether or not your yard or neighborhood sees these fallen leaves, the fall season is when weather gets cool enough for people to actually want to work outdoors.

So, use caution (and wear sunglasses, if not protective goggles) when operating leaf blowers, lawn mowers or even hosing down areas of your yard. After all, dust and debris can get into your eyes and irritate or damage them.

Costumes

Halloween is a favorite holiday for kids and adults alike. And while it can be ghoulishly delightful to dress up and transform into Dracula, a mermaid or Bennifer, make sure you plan your outfit with eye care top of mind. Avoid colored contacts, which can cause harm if they’re not properly fitted, worn, cleaned or stored.

Also, watch out for heavy eye makeup. Halloween may provide a great excuse to go crazy with the eyeshadow, fake eyelashes and even eye gems, but all of these can aggravate your eyes. Make sure to choose high quality products and leave some room between your eyes and the makeup, to give them less chance of catching stray dust or glue.

Campfires

Camping is a cherished pastime for many families in Arizona, and the cool weather of fall is enough to fill local campgrounds. Since camping is basically synonymous with s’mores, most campers like to enjoy roasting marshmallows (and warming their hands) over a campfire. But, smoke can be blown into your eyes, leaving them inflamed or stinging, and an errant spark could actually burn your eye tissue.

The good news is you don’t need to abandon this activity altogether (although, always make sure you’re following best practices to prevent wildfires), but do exercise caution. Wear protective glasses or goggles when interacting with the fire, sit where the smoke isn’t blowing and bring preservative-free, lubricating eye drops on your trip just in case you need some relief.

 

Fall is a beautiful and special time of year and can continue to be, if you’re preventing eye strain and injury by using care with these seasonal activities. Contact us today to ask about our exams or find out more vision care tips.