Although we may all celebrate differently, the holidays are a special time of the year to spend with people you love. From gift-giving to meal planning, there is often a lot going on. Eye health may not be the first thing on your mind, but it is important to make sure you continue to take care of your vision and protect your eyes during the holiday season. |
Gift hazards and eye injuries
Decorate safely
During the holidays, between hanging decorations, Christmas tree branches, and pointy ornaments, it’s not surprising decorations can present a few potential eye dangers.
Keep a few things in mind when decorating this season.
- Wear safety goggles when you are cutting down your Christmas tree.
- When using spray snow, be sure to point the nozzle away from your eyes and make sure no one else is in close proximity.
- Do not touch your eyes after handling fake snowflakes or glass spun fake snow, which can scratch the eyes.
Don’t overindulge
People with diabetes are at an increased risk of various eye diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy. Maintaining a healthy diet throughout the year is one way to keep blood sugar levels in check. While an occasional treat probably won’t do lasting harm, try to avoid going overboard. Consider the following suggestions for keeping blood sugar levels in check:
- Watch for hidden sugar in certain foods.
- Limit alcohol, which can be high in sugar.
- Avoid soda and drink water instead.
- Consider skipping dessert or only eat a few bites.
Travel eye tips
- Increased dry eyes from air travel or cold weather
- Eye strain from driving long distances
- Increased risk of viral conjunctivitis associated with colds and the flu
To avoid travel-related eye problems, wash your hands frequently and stay away from people that are sick to decrease your risk of infections. If you are driving long distances, take breaks from the road to rest your eyes. Consider taking lubricating eye drops with you in case you have an increase in dry eyes from cold weather.
Don’t ignore eye problems
As always, do not ignore eye problems, such as:
- Floaters
- Vision loss
- Eye pain
If you notice sudden eye symptoms, see an eye doctor as soon as possible. Waiting until after the holidays can increase your risk of complications.
We hope you enjoy your holiday season this year. If you would like to talk about whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, please phone our office at 508-746-8600, and we would be happy to help.