Holiday Eye Health

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.  
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There are a few things to keep in mind this holiday season to maintain healthy eyes while enjoying the time of year. 

Gift hazards and eye injuries

We all know that toys with small parts may be choking hazards for young children. But certain toys may also increase the risk of eye injuries, even for older kids. For example, avoid toys with projectile parts or sharp edges. Make sure if you buy pellet guns or paintball guns that your child has the maturity to use them safely and always wears eye protection. 

Decorate safely 

Holiday decorations make your home more festive. But eye injuries at home are very common. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, about 50 percent of eye injuries occur in the home.

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. 

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Don’t overindulge 

The holidays often mean big meals and splurging on sweet treats. But if you have diabetes, eating too many foods that are high in sugar contributes to high blood sugar levels. 

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. 

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Travel eye tips 

Many people travel during the holiday season. Safe travels also include keeping your eyes in good shape. During the winter holiday season, traveling can contribute to a few eye issues. Usually, problems are minor. For instance, holiday travel may lead to the following:

• 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. 
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Don’t ignore eye problems 

The holidays may leave you a little vulnerable to eye problems for a few reasons. For example, many of us are busy with holiday prep and might not pay as much attention to our health. We might take a “wait and see” approach if we develop eye issues.

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.