Cooler Weather

With the cooler weather and changing season, many Texans will start sneezing, coughing, and rubbing their eyes. Ragweed and mountain cedar are big culprits this time of year. Here's how you can combat itchy, watery eyes from allergies

• Cool compresses on closed eyelids decrease inflammation and redness. Start with 5 minutes twice a day and increase if needed.

• Clean eyelids and lashes are essential to healthy eyes. Your normal face care routine isn't sufficient; use eyelid cleanser. Mouthwash isn't enough for your teeth; you still brush and floss. So it's not a surprise that clean eyes require more attention too. Use a high quality lid cleanser daily to remove allergens and dirt from your lids and lashes.

• Allergy drops can be very effective for treating watery, red, itchy eyes. Pataday, formerly a prescription only drop, is now available over the counter and works very well. A word of caution, allergy drops will dry out your eyes. Use a preservative-free artificial tear to replace the moisture that is lost.

Use these tips to manage your allergy symptoms. If you still have symptoms, please schedule an exam so we can recommend more targeted treatment.