With cold and flu season just around the corner, you might be gearing up tissues, decongestants and maybe even a flu shot. But what about your eye health? Most of us forget to take the same special precautions this time of year to help keep eye infections and other eye area problems to a minimum. We’ve compiled a few tips to help you keep your eyes comfortable, clear and healthy all winter long, even in the face of cold and flu season.

What Causes Sore, Painful Eyes When You’re Sick?

Have you ever noticed that when you’re dealing with a cold, you tend to really feel it behind your eyes? If sore, painful eyes are a symptom of your cold or other illness, it’s likely that you have sinus pressure or possibly even a sinus infection. One of the biggest tell-tale signs of a sinus headache is isolated pain or pressure in a specific area of your head or face, such as behind your eyes or nose. This happens when your sinuses, which are the hollow cavities in the bones of your face, become inflamed and congested. In some cases, blocked sinuses can result in an infection, which can make your symptoms even worse and may require antibiotics.

Try the following:

  • Run a humidifier in your home or office to help eliminate dry air
  • Take a warm shower or sit in the steamy bathroom while the shower is running (Be aware of possible water restrictions in your area)
  • Place a warm compress over your eyes and face
  • Talk to your doctor about taking antihistamines or decongestant medications

Reducing the Risk of Eye Infection During Cold and Flu Season

  • Wash your eyelids with a gentle, quality eyecare cleansing product. As your optometrist or pharmacist to reccomend some options.Cliradex
  • Keeping your eye area clean is one of the best ways to prevent all sorts of bacterial eye infections.
  • Wash your hands frequently. Think about how many times each day your hands come into contact with your face or even your eyes. If there are germs or dirt on your hands, you can easily spread them to your eyes and cause an infection or other complications.
  • Blink frequently to help prevent dry eye, especially if you’re working on the computer or looking at another screened device for long periods of time.
  • Take supplements such as vitamin C and omega fatty acids to keep your immune system strong and to help keep your eyes and skin moist and properly functioning.
  • Get enough sleep. Your body needs between 7 and 9 hours of good quality sleep each night in order to function properly and to fight off infections and other illnesses

Very important: Always make sure you discuss and make decisions about your eye care based upon a formal appointment with your optician.

For more information please call us or visit

KOBRIN & MARTIN OPTOMETRISTS, SANDTON

Tel: 011 884 8413  |  kobrinmartin@telkomsa.net