If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you may be no stranger to burning, watery, red, or itchy eyes. Edwin Y. Endo, OD & Associates, home to Aiea, HI’s best optometrists, says seasonal allergies can wreak havoc on the eyes. Fortunately, there are some ways you can protect them against common allergens like pollen, grass, and mold.

To care for your eyes during allergy season, follow these top tips from Edwin Y. Endo, OD & Associates:

• Wear Glasses: If you normally wear contact lenses, switching to glasses during the peak of allergy season may help you find some relief. Contact lenses tend to irritate the eyes even more since oxygen flow is impeded. See your optometrist to be fitted for glasses if you don’t already have a pair.
• Limit Time Outdoors: Limiting your time spent outdoors during allergy season can be helpful for managing symptoms. Optometrists recommend paying close attention to pollen reports. You can find this information on most weather channels or websites.
• Avoid Mowing Grass: If you need to mow your lawn, ask a neighbor or friend for help. Cutting the grass can leave your eyes extremely red and irritated, so avoid it if you can. It’s also a good idea to hold off on gardening during the height of allergy season.
• Use Over-The-Counter Allergy Medications: Drugstore medications and eye drops can help manage eye allergy symptoms like itching and redness. If over-the-counter medications don’t seem to be working, visit your optometrist, who can give you a prescription. Antihistamines and decongestants can also help to relieve allergy symptoms.
• Wash Your Bed Linens Often: During peak allergy season, wash your bed linens often. Pollen can settle onto your sheets and pillowcases, causing an allergy outbreak when you come into contact with them.
• Keep Your Doors & Windows Closed: It can be tempting to open your home’s doors and windows to let in the warm summer air, but this is a big mistake for allergy sufferers. Pollen and other allergens can make their way into your home this way.
• Replace Your Home Air Filter: Allergens like dust and pollen can collect in your home’s air filter. If you suffer from allergies, remember to replace it about every one to two months, even if it doesn’t appear to be full or dirty.

For more tips on how to survive allergy season with clear, itch-free eyes, call Edwin Y. Endo, OD & Associates at (808) 487-5500. To learn more about the Aiea eye care center and the services they provide, you can also browse their website.