Top tips for preventing eye allergies this spring

Yes, spring is almost here. The grasses are growing, the trees are flowering, nature is awakening and for the millions of Australians with allergies, it's the start of months of misery.

And even those of us who don't have to deal with sneezing and runny eyes, still have to contend with the peril of higher UV levels that can cause permanent eye damage.

So how do we look after our eyes as the warmer weather rolls around?

Specsavers optometrist Greeshma Patel explains how we can best avoid and treat allergies and protect our eyes in the sun so we can get on with enjoying life.

Greeshma's top tips for treating and avoiding hay fever:

Just as other parts of your body can break out in an allergic reaction to a certain irritating substance, so too can your eyes.

Ocular allergies (also known as allergic conjunctivitis) occur when an allergen causes the conjunctiva to become irritated. This is when the conjunctiva (the thin membrane covering the whites of the eyes and the inner eyelids) overreacts to a substance it comes into contact with.

"There are two types of allergic conjunctivitis most people deal with - seasonal and perennial. The seasonal variety usually affects people in the spring or autumn seasons and is triggered by the presence of allergens in the air, such as grass and pollen. Perennial allergies are ongoing allergies which occur all year round," said Greeshma.

"An allergic reaction occurs when the immune system wrongly identifies a substance as an allergen and produces an over-reaction in response and symptoms normally include redness, watery eyes, itchiness and swelling. Your eyes may hurt or feel more tired and sore than usual."

The best form of treatment is preventative. If you know you are susceptible to seasonal allergies, you can take steps to remove allergens in your home by vacuuming and dusting regularly. You can also close your windows to reduce the likelihood of pollen and other allergens coming in from outside, and you can find out about the day's pollen count before you decide to head outdoors.

Several types of non-prescription medications can help ease allergy symptoms including eye drops and antihistamines. You could also use a cold compress to bring some relief - remember resist the urge to rub your eyes if you are experiencing irritation, as this often makes your symptoms worse.

Greeshma's top tips for preventing sun damage of the eyes:

Living in Australia means that we can be exposed to dangerous levels of UV radiation when we're outside, even when it's not bright and sunny. While our eyelids are designed to protect our eyes, the skin around our eyes is very thin and contains fragile tissues that can easily be damaged by UV light.

Research has found six out of 10 Australians aren't aware that the sun can permanently damage eyes through causing cataracts and cancer, and only one third of Australian's are aware that the sun can cause macular degeneration.

With an ageing population in Australia, vision impairment is expected to emerge as the most prevalent health condition among older people over the coming years. One way people can ensure the safety and health of their eyes is to take these easy-to-follow measures to look after their eyes in the sun this spring.

"Exposure to the sun can cause significant damage to the eyes, and in more extreme cases can cause conditions such as cataracts, pterygium, macular degeneration, and cancers. The same way you would put on sunscreen and a hat to protect your skin and body, you should be wearing UV filtering sunglasses to protect your eyes", said Greeshma.

"Unlike skin, where sun damage more can be obvious, it's not necessarily the case when it when it comes to the eyes. Often you may not notice symptoms until well after the damage is done. People may not realise that symptoms such as redness, blurry vision, light sensitivity, seeing halos and experiencing watery eyes can all be possible symptoms of sun damage to the eyes."

1. Apply sunscreen on your eyelids and around your eyes: While the eyelid is designed to protect the eye, the skin is very thin and contains fragile tissues that can be damaged by UV light. It is important to make sure you apply sunscreen to your eyelids and reapply it every two hours.

2. Wear a broadbrimmed hat: This will not only provide protection to your head but also your eyes, nose, ears and neck.

3. Wear sunglasses that have UV protection: For the best kind of protection, buy sunglasses that have polarised lenses as they provide superior vision in bright light, by eliminating 99.9% of horizontal glare, while also providing 100% UV protection.

4. Be mindful of the amount of time you spend in the sun: The longer you spend outside, the higher your chance of experiencing sun damage. If you know you will be spending a long period outside, try to spend most of it in a shaded area.

5. Understand your family history: If you have a family history of melanoma or skin cancer, you could be at higher risk of developing those conditions.

6. Get your eyes tested regularly: The best way to understand if your eyes are healthy and free from damage is to visit your local optometrist. At Specsavers, we recommend that you get your eyes tested every two years, or every year if you're over the age of 65.