What is a Wildfire?
Have you heard about the recent events in Ontario? Are you experiencing more sensitivity with your eyes? Here are the details. Wildfires, what are they? Wildfires occur in forests, grasslands, and other natural areas when they are uncontrolled. They can burn quickly and spread over large regions. This year Ontario has already seen nearly 294,000 hectares burned well above the 10‑year average. There are smoke warnings across parts of Ontario and Western Canada caused by wildfires and did you know that due to the dry and hot climate, Canada’s wildfire season will likely get worse in July and August?
How Wildfire Smoke Affects Your Eyes And How They Might Feel:
Do I really need to worry about this? Well…in the human body, the eye surface has the highest concentration of nerve endings, making it sensitive to even minor environmental changes. There are fine particles in smoke, along with various gases, which can irritate this delicate surface, causing discomfort such as burning, redness, and watery eyes. There are also some people who may be allergic to specific parts of the smoke, causing their eyes to itch. Then when inflammation occurs, tears cannot be produced or the quality of tears is reduced, causing dry-eye symptoms such as burning, a gritty feeling, and excessive tearing. In fact, people with pre-existing dry eye or eye allergies may experience more prolonged symptoms.
Some common symptoms include:
- Burning or stinging
- Redness and itchiness
- Watering
- Blurry vision or soreness
These are common symptoms. Any changes in your normal day-to-day routine should be discussed with your local optometrist. A thorough eye exam will reveal the cause and how it can be treated.
Easy Ways to Protect Your Eyes:
Let’s look at ways to protect our vision now that we know what’s happening around us.
- Stay indoors, closing the windows and turning on central air conditioning, bonus if you own an air purifier.
- Use eye lubricants such as: eye drops. One of our favorites is the preservative-free Thealoz Duo, which can be used several times a day to flush out smoke particles and irritants.
- Use a cool, damp cloth over your closed lids for additional comfort.
- If you must spend time outdoors, consider wearing goggles or wraparound glasses/sunglasses.
- Clean your hands before you touch your eyes/face.
- See your local optometrist if you experience any redness, tearing or burning, or if your vision changes.
Bottom Line:
By understanding how wildfires affect your eyes and acting early, you can reduce discomfort and protect your vision. Make sure you are taking care of your eyes, staying informed, and seeking advice from your optometrist if anything feels off.
For more information, concerns or inquiries or to book your next eye exam, get in touch with inFocus Vision Care. It all begins with you taking care of your eyes!
