Caring for Your Eyes in Spring
Suffering from dry, itchy or red eyes during spring? Taking proactive steps to look after the eyes at this time of year can make a big difference. In this blog we’ll be offering our top tips on everything from protecting the eyes from seasonal allergens to keeping the eyes hydrated.
Why spring can affect our eyes
As we trade winter for spring, many may be affected by the seasonal changes spring brings. With more sunny days, pollen levels increasing, and people spending more time outside potentially being exposed to allergens, springtime can cause allergy-related eye symptoms such as dry itchy, red and watering eyes.
Top eye care tips for spring
Whether you tend to suffer from allergy-related eye symptoms during spring or want to improve your general eye care routine as the seasons change, we’re offering our guidance for seasonal eye care as spring blooms into action.
Minimise exposure to allergens
It’s important to protect our eyes from seasonal allergens, often caused by exposure to pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds, especially during specific seasons like spring.
Different types of pollen can affect individuals at certain times of the year, leading to seasonal allergies. From March to August, pollen levels are often higher, which is why it’s so important to understand how this may affect the eyes during spring.1
Additionally, everyday activities like outdoor sports, grass cutting, and woodland walks can increase exposure to pollen. This also increases the risk of allergy-related dry eye symptoms.
So, how can you protect your eyes from being affected by seasonal allergies?
Try to minimise exposure to allergens wherever possible, which could mean keeping windows closed when inside, for example. We also recommend washing your hands regularly. If pollen and other allergens are on your hands, these can get into the eyes and worsen symptoms. Additionally, pollen may linger in your hair, so washing it regularly and keeping it tied back if it’s longer can help.
You can use specific products to help relieve eye symptoms related to seasonal allergies such as dry eye, itchiness, redness and watering. Théa’s Zaspray®, for example, is a preservative-free, topical spray which you can apply to your eyelids offering relief from dry, itchy, irritated eye. If you struggle to use eye drops, Zaspray® provides a suitable alternative.2 Alongside this, Blephaclean PF® daily-use, plastic-free eyelid cleansing wipes can soothe and cleanse sensitive eyelids3.
Create a protective barrier between your eyes and allergens
Simple lifestyle changes you can make include wearing glasses and sunglasses (particularly wraparound and polarised sunglasses for outdoor use) and putting in contact lenses if needed. A wide-brimmed hat or cap covering the eyes can also be worn for additional protection, creating a barrier between your eyes and allergens.
Keep hydrated
Hydrating the eyes with eye drops and sprays can help wash away allergens and improve eye comfort. Keeping your body and eyes hydrated is particulary important, especially during spring when pollen and other allergen levels may be higher.
Drinking plenty of water each day and using lubricating eye drops is usually enough to keep the eyes properly hydrated and wash away allergens from the eye area. Thealoz® Duo preservative-free dry eye drops protect, hydrate and lubricate the eyes, providing rapid and long-lasting relief and protection4 for dry, gritty and sore eyes.5
Antihistamines and eye allergy symptoms
If you take antihistamines to manage your seasonal allergies, you may experience dry eye symptoms. This is a common side effect of systemic medications.6
You may want to consult your pharmacist or eyecare professional, who will be able to guide you on how to manage these symptoms. If you think you may be experiencing eye symptoms as a result of taking systemic medications, using Théa’s Zaspray® can provide relief from dry, itchy, irritated eyes caused by allergies.2
Maintain your eye care routine
Keeping on top of good eye care is undoubtedly important in every season, not just in spring. That is why we recommend focussing on maintaining a good eye care routine involving cleansing and hydrating the eye area all year round. Using a combination of products targeting your symptoms or that can be used to prevent specific issues can be particularly helpful for those who may suffer from dry eye as a result of allergies because it can help you keep your eyes moist and comfortable.
As part of your eye care routine, you should also attend regular examinations with an eye care professional. Not only can they monitor any changes in your sight, but an optometrist can also check the health of your eyes and look for signs of any underlying conditions.
Caring for your eyes during spring doesn’t need to be complicated. Using our tips and advice, you can help ensure your eyes stay comfortable and hydrated throughout the season.
Be sure to visit an eye care professional if you’re experiencing any new or unusual symptoms in your eyes.
References:
1. Allergy UK: Hay Fever and Allergic Rhinitis - https://www.allergyuk.org/types-of-allergies/hayfever/
2. Zaspray Patient Information Leaflet
3. Blephaclean PF Patient Information Leaflet
4. Schmidl D et al. 2015. Cornea. Apr;34(4):421-6
5. Thealoz Duo Patient Information Leaflet
6. Al-Namaeh M. Systemic Medications and Their Ocular Side Effects. Cureus. 2024 Dec 2;16(12):e74976. doi: 10.7759/cureus.74976. PMID: 39744265; PMCID: PMC11692015.