Wildfire smoke and your eyes

Wildfires in California and other parts of North America have caused widespread destruction in recent years. Many wildfires happen in summer and fall, but they can occur at any time of year.

In addition to the staggering cost and suffering wildfires may cause, wildfire smoke can be irritating and harmful to your eyes — even if you live many miles from the actual blaze.

How wildfire smoke affects your eyes

Besides the direct damage wildfires cause, they also release pollutants into the atmosphere. Wildfire smoke contains a mixture of gases, fine particles and other pollutants that can affect the eyes, among other aspects of health.

Eye doctors say eye irritation triggered by wildfire smoke can include signs and symptoms, such as:

• Eye redness
• A stinging or burning sensation
• Itchy eyes
• Watery eyes
• A gritty feeling
• A foreign body sensation
• Aggravation of conditions, such as dry eyes, eye allergies and blepharitis (eyelid inflammation)

Exposure to smoke can irritate anyone’s eyes. Protecting your eyes from wildfire smoke may help reduce the risk of eye irritation and limit your exposure to harmful airborne pollutants.

How to protect your eyes from smoke

Dr. Gerami Seitman and Dr. Matilda Chan, ophthalmologists at UCSF Medical Center, and Dr. Vivian Shibayama, an optometrist at UCLA’s Doris Stein Eye Institute in Los Angeles, shared their advice for preventing and treating eye irritation caused by wildfire smoke:

• Stay inside – If possible, stay indoors with the windows closed when outdoor air quality is poor.
• Use an air purifier – While you’re inside, use an air purifier to decrease the presence of eye irritants.
• Wear glasses, not contacts – Don’t wear your contact lenses, as they can attract airborne particles from wildfire smoke.
• Protect your eyes outside – If you’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors, wear wraparound frames or goggles to reduce exposure to wildfire smoke. Regular eyeglasses or sunglasses may help block some eye irritants, but they may not provide the same level of protection.
• Rinse your eyes – Wash away eye irritants with sterile, over-the-counter saline eye wash or artificial tears. If you’re using artificial tears more than four times a day, it is recommended to seek the preservative-free variety.
• Try eye drops for relief – If eye itching or irritation is bothering you, ask your eye doctor about using over-the-counter, itch-alleviating antihistamine eye drops.

Storing artificial tears in your refrigerator prior to use can add eye-cooling relief. Applying a cold compress over closed eyes may also provide a soothing effect.

Also, be aware that smoke can remain in the air and irritate your eyes for days following a wildfire. 

When to see an eye doctor

If symptoms of eye irritation from wildfire smoke don’t go away or include pain, vision changes or other concerning symptoms, schedule a comprehensive eye exam with an optometrist or ophthalmologist.

During or after your exam, ask your eye doctor about safety glasses or goggles to help shield your eyes from ash and smoke in the future.

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