How Inversions Affect Your Eyes and How to Protect Them
How Inversions Affect Your Eyes and How to Protect Them
Most people know that unhealthy air quality can make it harder to breathe. But bad air—especially during inversions—can also irritate your eyes.
“During an inversion, I recommend staying indoors as much as possible,” says Nishika Reddy, MD, an ophthalmologist specializing in dry eyes at the John A. Moran Eye Center at the University of Utah.
Why Inversions Can Irritate Your Eyes
During an inversion, warm air in the upper atmosphere traps pollution and cold air close to the ground. This affects the quality of the air we breathe.
Inversions are more frequent in valleys, such as the Salt Lake City area, where Reddy sees patients. The Wasatch Mountains act like a “bowl,” making it harder for the wind to blow out the bad air. Inversions typically occur in winter, often after a snowstorm, when snow on the ground makes the air colder but the upper atmosphere warms because the skies are clear.
As pollution increases, the Air Quality Index (AQI), which measures five major pollutants, rises. When the AQI climbs above moderate levels (101 or higher), you may feel more eye irritation or discomfort. Even short trips outside can bother your eyes, especially if you already have dry eyes or allergies, or you wear contact lenses.
Common Eye Symptoms During Bad Air Days
People often notice:
- Red, irritated eyes
- Watering
- A gritty or sandy feeling
- Blurred vision
- Increased dry eyes
“A lot of people in Utah and elsewhere have dry eyes, so it’s important they protect their eyes during an inversion,” Reddy says. “If not, they may experience more irritation and discomfort.”
How to Protect Your Eyes During an Inversion
Before You Go Outside
- Check the AQI to plan your day around air quality alerts, especially if you have asthma, allergies, or dry eyes.
- Limit outdoor time when air quality is bad.
- Avoid smoking, which can further irritate your eyes.
If You Must Be Outdoors
- Wear wrap-around sunglasses for a barrier against airborne particles.
- Avoid long workouts outdoors, which can worsen dry eyes and allergic conjunctivitis.
- Avoid wearing contact lenses since they can trap debris and make irritation worse.
“As a rule,” Reddy says, “if you take the same precautions you would to protect your lungs, you’ll also protect your eyes.”
At Home
- Use preservative-free eye drops (also called artificial tears) to help dilute or clean out any small particles in the eye.
- Run a humidifier to add moisture to the air, especially during winter.
- Use an air purifier to reduce indoor pollutants.
- Limit fireplace use during inversion days, since smoke can worsen eye irritation.
When to Seek Care
Most eye symptoms caused by poor air quality are temporary. If your eyes feel irritated, head indoors, use artificial tears, run a humidifier, and let your eyes rest. Many people feel better within a few hours.
If irritation doesn’t improve after a day or two—or if dry eye symptoms become more frequent during inversion season—schedule an appointment with a dry eye specialist who can evaluate your symptoms and recommend personalized treatment.
The Moran Eye Center Can Help
The Moran Eye Center offers accessible, nationally ranked care for our patients, with a team of clinical specialists that provide comprehensive eye care at multiple locations to best suit your needs.
