Common Eye Problems in College Students

Common Eye Problems in College Students | Children's Eye Health & Safety Month

8/15/2017

Eye problems can develop at any age or stage in life, and that includes during our college years. Eye problems amongst college students can range from mild to serious and potentially affect vision. Understanding common eye problems that may affect your child can help prevent issues before they start. Consider some common eye problems that may affect college students:

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

Conjunctivitis, also commonly called pink eye, is not just for little kids. It can also affect your college student.

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the membrane that covers the white part of the eye and the eyelid. It may be caused by a viral or bacterial infection., and symptoms, which may include itching, redness, and tearing, may appear in one or both eyes. Discharge from the infected eye or eyes may also develop.

To help your child prevent conjunctivitis, you may want to give them a few reminders. According to the Mayo Clinic, to avoid the spread of conjunctivitis, wash hands often and don’t share makeup, towels, or washcloths. It’s also helpful to change pillowcases often and use a clean towel every day.

Allergies

Allergy symptoms can sometimes arise or flare when children go away to college. Your child may be in a new dorm environment and possibly a different climate or part of the country. He or she may be exposed to certain allergens that trigger typical allergy symptoms, including itchy, watery eyes.

If you know what your child is allergic to, decreasing exposure to the allergen is his or her best bet to reduce symptoms. For example, if your child is allergic to pollen, closing windows when the pollen count is high and wearing sunglasses when outside may help.

In some cases, it may be difficult to prevent all exposure to allergens. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, artificial tears may temporarily help wash allergens from the eye and decrease dryness. Decongestants may decrease redness, and oral antihistamines may reduce itchiness. Be sure to remind your child to follow the directions and review possible side effects. For example, certain antihistamines may cause drowsiness, so taking them before a big exam is not a good idea.

Sports Injuries to the Eyes

Heading to college may mean playing sports / intramurals or participating in physical education classes for some students. Although participating in sports and physical activity has many benefits, it’s important for your child to use the proper equipment, and that includes eye protection. Sports-related eye injuries can include blunt trauma, fracture of the eye socket, and corneal abrasions. Some injuries can be serious and even lead to blindness.

Fortunately, most eye injuries can be prevented. According to the National Eye Institute, wearing proper protective eyewear can prevent about 90 percent of sports related eye injuries.

Keep in mind that certain sports have a higher risk of eye injuries. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, eye injuries from sports are most commonly caused by basketball, racquetball, and baseball. Ice and field hockey, as well as lacrosse, can also lead to eye injuries. The AAO recommends wearing a helmet with a polycarbonate face mask when playing hockey, lacrosse, and baseball. If your child is playing racquetball, basketball, or field hockey, he or she should wear protective eyewear with polycarbonate lenses.

If your child does suffer an eye injury, make sure he or she sees an ophthalmologist or visits the emergency room immediately. Even injuries that seem minor should be assessed.

For more information on sports-related eye injuries, please read our related blog posts:

Infections from Contact Lenses

College students are often busy juggling their schoolwork and social life. Proper handling and care of their contact lenses may not always be something they think about. But by taking a few steps, your child can decrease the chances of an infection-related to contact lens wear and use.

Tell your child to make sure he or she washes his or her hands before touching his or her contact lenses. Your child should also rub contacts when cleaning them and rinse with a store-bought solution. Also, always make sure to replace lenses as recommended.

Although preventing eye problems may not be on your child’s radar, it’s helpful to provide the reminders above to help your child protect his or her eyes. It’s important for young adults to develop good habits for taking care of their eyes to prevent problems from developing later in life. Having regular eye exams can also help prevent problems before they become serious.

If you would like to schedule a routine exam or you have any questions or concerns about your child’s eyes, please call our office at 508-746-8600. Our team is always happy to answer your questions.

Please be sure to check out our next post, 'Are Your College Students Giving Their Eyes Enough of a Break?', as we continue Children’s Eye Health & Safety Month.