Adela Ruiz, a medical technologist at San Diego Tech, tells us how to avoid eye damage as the long-awaited spring arrives.
Spring is many people’s favorite season, especially because it begins the sunny, colorful days that we love so much. However, with it comes allergies, colds, and a number of ailments related to our visual health.
At this time, our eyes can easily feel itching and burning. In more serious cases, ulcers, wounds or discharge may occur. Commenting on this, Adela Ruiz, a scholar of medical technology, optometry and ophthalmology at the University of Santo Tomas de Santiago, noted, “With the long-awaited arrival of spring, pollination begins; pollen grains circulate through the environment on the spring breeze, These are the allergens that cause most respiratory and ocular allergies.”
“In the eyes, pollen and allergies can cause allergic conjunctivitis, which is characterized by intense tearing, stinging, light discomfort, and redness of the eyes. It is generally accompanied by rhinitis, itching of the nasal mucosa, nasal congestion, sneezing, and more seriously, chest pain There is a whistling sound and difficulty breathing. The condition may become complicated, so it is recommended to see an allergist for treatment,” he explains.
Adela Ruiz also said that choosing a good pair of sunglasses can help us take care of our vision health. “It is always recommended to buy glasses with UV filters from a reputed store. When wearing sunglasses, since less light passes through the lenses, the pupil dilates, making it easier for short wavelength light to penetrate the eye. The lens is a natural filter for UV radiation organ, but its increase can damage proteins in cells and promote cataract formation,” he said.
Additionally, he said the effectiveness and practicality of sunglasses varies based on their color:
- Brown glass: suitable for outdoor sports, does not change color vision, improves contrast, filters blue radiation and reduces visual fatigue.
- Gray Crystal: Color perception is slightly altered to reduce eye fatigue and is ideal for driving. Suitable for all occasions.
- Green crystal: suitable for water sports and winter. This changes the perception of color and is suitable for people with farsightedness.
- Orange and yellow glass: Not recommended for use as sunglasses. Suitable for dealing with cloudy days, night, dawn, foggy days. They provide greater brightness. Orange improves contrast more than yellow.
- Blue glass: Not recommended for driving as it changes the perception of color as it blocks the passage of blue, red and amber light.
- Red glass: Reduces eye fatigue and provides good depth of field. It is ideal for sports and snow activities.
“If people are allergic, they should start anti-allergy treatment (prescribed by a doctor) before the pollination season. They should also use sun hats, sunglasses and avoid using fans as they produce more particles,” he added, ensuring treatment is a must allergies to prevent the development of asthma.