Over the last several days, Metro Vancouver’s air quality remains one of the worse in the world. Smoke and soot from wildfires in Washington and Oregon are causing unsafe conditions for us up here. I’m looking at the air quality index (AQI) on my Apple watch and it’s a whopping 259!!! An AQI of 0-50 is normal, 51-100 is moderate, 101-150 is unhealthy for sensitive groups, 151-200 is unhealthy, and 201-300 is very unhealthy. Most are trying to stay indoors where the air quality is better, but if you must go outside, pick the time of day where the AQI is lower and wear a mask.
Here are some tips to keep your eyes more comfortable during the air quality advisory in Vancouver:
- Wear sunglasses or glasses to protect your eyes from soot particles. Larger frames with wrap and side coverage are preferable.
- Use preservative-free artificial tears to rinse out and lubricate your eyes often.
- Keep your eyelids clean by using minimal make-up and lid cleaning wipes.
- Set your car to recirculate indoor air rather than bringing in outdoor air.
If your are noticing eye irritation, please contact us at Avenue Eyecare or your local optometrist!