Smoky skies, scratchy eyes

If your eyes have been burning all week, it’s not just you. The smoke from the Northern Ontario wildfires has been sitting over the city, and half the people walking into the clinic this week have the same red, gritty, itchy eyes.

Why smoke irritates your eyes

Wildfire smoke is basically tiny particles floating around. They land on the surface of your eye, and the natural response – to rub – just grinds them in and makes it worse. Try not to. We know it’s hard.

What actually helps

Flush, don’t rub. A good preservative-free drop rinses particles off the surface and lubricates the eye so it feels less raw. Use it as often as you want – there’s no daily limit on a preservative-free tear.

Our pick for smoke season is HYLO DUAL. It lubricates with sodium hyaluronate, and it adds ectoine – an ingredient that forms a protective barrier on the eye’s surface against airborne irritants. It’s preservative-free, comes in a multi-dose bottle, and works with contacts in or out. We keep it in stock at the clinic, and many pharmacies carry it too.

Give your contacts a break. On the worst air-quality days, lenses trap smoke particles against your cornea and hold them there. If you can, switch to glasses until the air improves – your eyes will thank you.

A cold compress over closed eyes also calms the itch and redness if the drops aren’t quite enough.

When to come in

Smoke events like this usually pass within a few days, and the irritation clears with them. But if your eyes stay red and angry after the air improves – or if you notice pain, light sensitivity, or any change in your vision – don’t wait it out. Come see us.

– The team at Spadina Optometry