1. Double the number of seed and suet feeders around your yard, as birds are currently flocking and there are many more mouths to feed.
2. Switch to hopper-style feeders, which are more practical than tray feeders at times when the moisture from rain and snow can ruin food. Tube feeders work well in inclement weather, too.
3. Stockpile all types of sunflower seeds. These offer the greatest amount of energy for the birds of fall and winter.
4. Check the condition of feeders and squirrel baffles to make sure they will make it through the winter. Replace the ones you can’t repair.
5. In the North, switch exclusively to suet and a few types of birdseed, as the birds that enjoy fruit and insects have gone south for the winter.
6. After the last of the orioles and hummingbirds have passed through your area, remove and clean all sugar-water feeders.
7. Protect stored bird food by securing it in waterproof garbage cans. Place bricks or bungee cords on top of lids to keep out raccoons and squirrels. (Check out more brilliant bungee cord hacks.)
8. Birds that are migrating south need water to both refresh themselves and keep their feathers in good shape for smoother flying.
9. Shut down birdbaths and ponds after the last migrants have passed through, unless you live in a frost-free zone. Otherwise, an electric birdbath heater may be used to attract thirsty birds.
10. Take down most birdhouses. To remove parasites and insects, clean with a solution of soap, water and 10 per cent bleach. (Don’t miss these fascinating facts about bluebirds!)
11. Leave up a couple of birdhouses to serve as weatherproof roosting sites for chickadees, bluebirds and woodpeckers.
12. During your fall yard cleanup, collect woody plant clippings to create brush piles. These will protect ground birds and other wildlife.
13. Plant a few evergreen trees and/or shrubs around feeders to help birds hide from predators, and to offer security during cold winter nights.

Next, check out this gorgeous gallery of Canadian birds caught on camera.

You spent months planning for your dream wedding. The song that plays as you walk down the aisle. The arrangement of your flowers. The guests that attend. The only thing you can’t plan for is if someone objects during the wedding ceremony. However, the days of an unrequited love coming to haunt you at the altar are almost obsolete, said Pamela Henry, a wedding officiant.

Speak now or forever hold your peace

“Wedding objections, or the common phrase ‘speak now or forever hold your peace’ is a Christian marriage ceremony tradition that was first introduced during medieval times,” Henry said.

Before technology made it easy to communicate between different towns, someone’s word held a lot more power. Henry explained that objections were introduced as a last-call for community members to highlight any legal reasons why the couple should not be wed.

Keyword: legal. Examples included either party being married to someone in another town, not being of legal age, or if there was proof that someone was being illegally forced into the marriage. Today, though, Henry notes that these objections are not nearly as common as they are portrayed in movies, as someone cannot object to a marriage solely because they’re in love with the bride or groom. However, when attending a wedding today, you absolutely cannot break these eight wedding etiquette rules.

Should someone actually object during the ceremony, Henry said the practice is to pause the ceremony and speak to the objector privately to confirm the reason—which Mike Robinson, a former civil rights lobbyist, witnessed while he was the best man in his friend’s wedding.

“I couldn’t believe it when the mother of the bride stood up and declared she objected to the marriage,” Robinson said. “It was a shocker for everyone that was in attendance, including the pastor who actually stopped the ceremony while both sets of parents, the bride and groom, and the wedding party stood there asking me, ‘Can she legally do this?'”

According to Robinson, she couldn’t. A marriage licence that’s obtained before the wedding creates the legal union, so Robinson advised the mother that it was best that she forever held her peace. If you thought this mother’s request was crazy, wait until you read these crazy requests that wedding planners get.

“As fast as the group huddled up to have this heated debate, we broke apart and the wedding proceeded,” Robinson said.

The words “speak now or forever hold your peace” have great theatrical pizzazz to them, but Robinson said the only true objection to a marriage would come from the county clerk or government entity issuing the marriage licence.

“Most ceremonies have discontinued using those words,” Robinson explained. “One thing is for sure, I’ll make sure they’re not used if I’m ever asked to be a best man again.”

Planning to roast the happy couple before you toast them? These hilarious jokes about marriage are perfect for a wedding!

“The bond between a veterinarian and pet family is meant to be special. I cherish both my patients and my clients,” says Kim Vanduzer, DVM, at Prettyboy Veterinary Hospital in Freeland, Maryland. That’s the ideal scenario pet parents desire. Whether you’ve been seeing the same veterinarian for years or just started seeing one for the first time, vets say if you notice one of these signs, it’s probably time to switch doctors.

You feel out of the loop

Your vet tells you what she is going to do but doesn’t explain any specifics with you. All you hear is, “I’m ordering blood work,” or “Here’s what I’m going to do.” “It is important for you to understand available diagnostics, results, and diagnosis,” says Dr. Vanduzer. “Good veterinarians want you to be involved in the treatment of your pet.” To be the best health advocate for your pet, learn how to read your dog’s facial expressions.

She’s not taking into account your finances

We all wish money was no object when it comes to our pet’s health care, but for most people, it’s a valid concern. “Conversations such as finances and quality of life can be difficult,” says Dr. Vanduzer. “You need to be able to freely ask questions and discuss family finances that impact your decisions.” New pet parents tend to underestimate the expenses of adopting a fur baby. Your new furry addition will come with more expenses than just vet bills.

You’re always fact-checking him

No one’s going to fault you for Googling your pet’s weird rash, but if you’re fact-checking before and after a vet visit, it could be a sign that you don’t really trust your vet. “You need to believe that the advice they provide is not only medically sound but also right for your family. If you are constantly looking up your pet’s problems on Google instead of picking up the phone to talk to your vet, it may be time to switch veterinarians,” says Dr. Vanduzer.

Psst—these are the sick pet symptoms dog and cat owners often misdiagnose.

She doesn’t respect you

She openly disagrees or doesn’t support most of your pet-parenting decisions. “Even if your veterinarian doesn’t agree with some of your choices, like diet, it’s important that they respect your right to make decisions for your pet. Their job is to give you information to guide you in making medical decisions,” says Angie Krause, DVM, a holistic vet at I and Love and You in Boulder, Colorado.

Find out the seven most common mistakes cat owners make, according to the Cat Whisperer.

You don’t connect

Remember back in high school when you had a teacher for every subject? You probably had a favourite—somebody who really understood you—and a not-so-favourite, whose class you dreaded. It’s not that your veterinarian is “bad,” you just don’t jibe. “Veterinarians have different personalities and communications styles. Finding a veterinarian that uses a communication style that works for you is important,” says Dr. Krause.

You’re getting the “hard sell” at every visit

Making decisions about your fur baby’s care isn’t always easy, especially if your vet is constantly urging you to try the latest procedures or specialty pet products. “You shouldn’t feel like you’re in a high-pressure sales environment… It’s important your veterinary team provides you with all the options for your pet.” says Dr. Krause. If visits are leaving you feeling guilty that you didn’t make a purchase, that’s a red flag.

Your vet is offended

Our pets are members of our family. When any family member isn’t feeling well after months of treatment, it is natural to want a second opinion, to get another perspective as to what’s going on with your pup. And you shouldn’t be met with a harsh response. If your vet gets angered when you want a second opinion, especially on something requiring surgery or hospitalization, that’s your cue to switch veterinarians, says Karen Halligan, DVM in Marina del Rey, California.

He’s hiding info

“A vet should not withhold information about diagnostic tests performed, such as x-rays and blood work,” says Dr. Halligan. Sure, you might not fully understand the medical terms, but as your dog’s advocate, Dr. Halligan says you have the right to know, and your vet should be able to explain things in layman’s terms.

She’s MIA

“Your doctor deserves a healthy work/life balance,” says Bernadine Cruz, DVM, but adds that if your veterinarian doesn’t return phone calls, emails, or texts within a reasonable timeframe, it isn’t very reassuring to you that your pet’s health is a priority. Likewise, if your vet doesn’t respect your time and is always late for office appointments without an explanation, it might be time to switch vets, Dr. Cruz says.

He dismisses your concerns

Your vet has the degree hanging on the wall, but you live with your pet every day so you may notice subtle nuances in the animal’s behaviour or physical traits that your vet might not take into consideration. So what does it mean when he or she doesn’t even acknowledge your observations? “It’s a red flag if he/she doesn’t listen to your concerns or declines to investigate issues that you believe are problematic,” says Dr. Cruz.

Your pet is anxious

No one looks forward to a doctor’s appointment—including your pet. It’s normal to expect them to be nervous in the car on the way there and in the waiting room. If you tell your vet about this, and she dismisses your pet’s anxiety or doesn’t recommend options to alleviate it, future visits going forward won’t be pleasant. “Your veterinarian is your pet’s physician, and both you and your pet need to enjoy interacting with this health professional,” says Dr. Cruz. Find out some of the surprising triggers for dog anxiety.

What’s behind those closed doors?

Should you expect a tour of the facility? Are you allowed to visit your pet while it is in the hospital? Yes and yes, says Dr. Cruz. It’s a natural and healthy curiosity to want to see the condition and cleanliness of the kennels and outdoor space your pet will spend time in. And when an overnight hospitalization is necessary, pets love to get visits from their pet parents. (Keep in mind, not all clinics are 24-hour facilities, so there may be certain restrictions like visiting hours to ensure your pet’s rest and recovery.)

Trust your gut

“I always tell my clients to trust their gut,” says Dr. Halligan. “If your vet is not someone you would want to have coffee with, then maybe another vet should be treating your pet.” Read on for the 13 pet care tips your veterinarian wishes you knew.

How to make the best milkshake ever

Milkshakes are one of the world’s most iconic desserts. They’re refreshingly cool, slurp-ably sweet and come in pretty much any flavour you can imagine. A single sip gets us dreaming of old-school diners and hamburger stands on a sultry summer day, and just a few more satisfy any sweet tooth.

But you don’t need to reserve a vinyl booth to enjoy this delightful dessert. Making a milkshake from scratch is simple. If you’ve got a tub of ice cream on hand, you’re halfway there. Follow along as our test kitchen shows how to make the most flavourful milkshake. (Don’t miss these brain-boosting dessert recipes.)

You’ll need:

• 1/3 cup milk. You can use 2%, whole milk, or a blend of milk and half-and-half.
• 1-1/2 cups ice cream (vanilla makes a good base for most shakes, or you can use a flavour like chocolate)
• Delicious mix-ins! Think a swirl of chocolate syrup, peanut butter, a chopped banana or other fruit, a handful of chocolate or butterscotch chips (we could go on and on…)
• A blender, of course. You can use a classic stand blender-or an immersion blender if you want to make it right in your glass.

Step 1: Combine the ingredients

Send your ingredients straight to the blender. For best results, put in your milk first. That will get the blender mixing quickly. Be sure to let your ice cream soften before scooping. If it’s too hard, you might end up having to add more milk, which thins the shake.

We’re going to make a strawberry shake, so we’ll add 1/2 cup frozen unsweetened strawberries and 1 tablespoon strawberry preserves.

Pro tip: For an ultra-rich shake, use whole milk or milk with a little half-and-half cream. But never use heavy cream. If you send that through the blender, it’ll create little bits of butter.

Step 2: Blend ’til smooth

It’s time to blend away. You’ll want to keep an eye on the consistency. This recipe creates a Goldilocks-style shake: not too firm and not too soft (runny). Of course, you can always customize it either way. Use less milk for a thicker, spoonable shake; more for a thinner, sippable one.

Step 3: Enjoy!

Pour your milkshake into a chilled glass to serve. It tastes great straight-up or topped with a tower of whipped cream. Feeling fancy? Layer on toppings like chocolate syrup, sugary cereal or rainbow sprinkles.

Now that you know how to make a basic milkshake, try some additional variations:

• Low-fat milkshake: Substitute frozen yogurt or sherbet for the ice cream, or fruit juice for part of the milk.
• Make it a malt: It’s easy to mimic those old-fashioned malted milks you get at a restaurant. Simply pick up malted milk powder from the store. (It’s usually found near the breakfast and chocolate milk mixes.) Add 2-4 tablespoons per 1 cup of milk.
• Old-fashioned soda: Stir in ginger ale or soda after making the milkshake. Just make sure not to blend; it’ll cause a fizzy mess!

Next, check out the beautiful dessert that’s been pinned over 270,000 times!

Paint can help freshen up a room, whether you’re going for a new look or planning on putting your house on the market. But, before you grab that paint and roller, the Property Brothers want you to know not all colours are created equal.

In a 2019 episode of the popular home improvement show, Property Brothers: Buying and Selling, the duo—Jonathan and Drew Scott—noted that there are two colours that should never be used to paint interior walls: Red and yellow. (On the other hand, these are the 10 most popular paint colours in Canada.)

In the episode titled “Condo Dreams,” the Property Brothers tackled a home that the owner wants to sell so she can downsize after the death of her life partner. “Drew and Jonathan see plenty of potential in Roseanne’s existing digs. In its current condition, it’s worth only about $600,000. But if Roseanne invests $85,000 in the renovation Jonathan envisions, the Scotts believe she’ll be able to sell it for at least $800,000—a massive $200,000 increase,” realtor.com reported.

Roseanne’s living room was a pale yellow and Jonathan noted yellow walls don’t sell in today’s market. The dining room walls were painted what Jonathan called “angry ’90s red,” which he said needed to go as they it was extremely outdated.

Today’s colour trends

Trends come and go, and according to the Property Brothers, the ship sailed for both red and yellow walls quite some time ago. And while the brothers suggested avoiding bright, primary colours in general, you can still go bold. Instead of primary hues, the Property Brothers suggest leaning toward minimal decor, which includes lots of black, white and grays mixed with wood tones. Then accent with bold colours, such as red throw pillows or a sunny yellow area rug.

Read on to find out the painting tips professionals don’t want you to know!

Ever imagined the contents of your airplane toilet dropping out the bottom of the plane like a surprise crop-dusting? Surprise, surprise! It’s not so far-fetched—this actually used to happen. The very earliest airplane toilets were primitive and direct: think bucket or bottle. Passengers simply hurled the contents out the window onto the unsuspecting world below. It may seem kind of déclassé, but once commercial flying became popular and pressurized cabins were introduced, bathroom systems saw an upgrade as well.

Airlines introduced a toilet that used Anotec—blue deodorizing gel that flushed away waste and combatted odour. It wasn’t without its problems; airlines had to store gallons of the stuff, which was very heavy and resulted in planes wasting precious fuel and having to limit passenger space. In addition, the storage tanks were directly below the toilets, so the smell sometimes would drift up into the cabin—not something you’d want to experience before tucking in to your in-flight meal!

These early toilets weren’t fool-proof. Toilet waste sometimes leaked to the outside of the aircraft, where it froze. As the plane descended, it would drop icy lumps of blue gel mixed with feces, which sometimes plummeted to earth at great speed reportedly damaging cars and houses below.

In 1975, James Kemper designed the modern airplane toilet that featured a non-stick bowl, a small amount of Skychem (disinfecting liquid), and powerful vacuum suction. Now when you flush an airplane toilet, a trapdoor in the base opens, liquid is released, and everything is sucked out faster than a Formula 1 race car. Waste whizzes through the plumbing to the rear of the plane, where it’s stored in sealed tanks, well away from passengers, until the plane touches down. On a long-haul 747 flight, travellers might flush the toilets around 1,000 times, creating around 230 gallons of sewage—that’s a lot of waste! When the aircraft lands, a “honey truck” siphons out the waste and disposes of it into the airport’s underground sewage system.

In case you’re wondering whether planes might accidentally empty the tanks in flight, delivering a nasty shock to anyone below, not to worry; the door has external clips to prevent such unexpected accidents from occurring. And if you’ve heard the urban myth about toilet vacuums sucking out your insides, that’s not likely either; at least, there are no recorded incidents to date. In short, using the facilities is definitely not one of the things you should never do on an airplane. What you don’t want to do is hold it in. Flying puts enough strain on the body, so don’t make it worse by holding in poop, which could cause you serious personal repercussions.

Stay calm on your next flight by reading these facts about flying!

If you’ve always dreamed of a private island getaway, this might be the next-best thing: An island hardly anyone visits.

That’s right, according to a report by the United Nations World Tourism Organization, there’s a tropical island that gets fewer than 2,000 visitors each year. So you won’t have to fight for a nice spot on the sand if you travel here.

The country of Tuvalu in the South Pacific promises to be an unspoiled sanctuary for however long you decide to stay—and since it’s an average 30 degrees year-round, we’ll assume that might be a while. Expect pristine beaches, a low crime rate, and a thriving marine ecosystem of atolls, lagoons, and coral reefs. This paradise is spread throughout the nine islands that make up Tuvalu.

So why don’t more people visit this lovely island? For one, it’s really hard to get to. Air Fiji sends flights in just three times a week, each leaving from Nadi International Airport in the Republic of Fiji, another South Pacific Island. The only airport in Tuvalu is on the main island, Funafuti.

Second, its own population is dwindling, and the U.N. has it listed as one of the islands that are most likely to disappear into the ocean in the 21st century. According to the Guardian, two of the islands are already seeing the impact of coastal erosion and rising tides. So have some patience for the travel requirements, and soak up the sun while you can at this quiet tiny island. It might be your next favourite escape.

Next, learn about the least-visited country in Europe.

If you’re on a plane near someone who’s got the flu, there’s a good chance you’ll get sick, too, research has shown. But what if you’re a passenger on the next flight? Fortunately, there are things you can do to protect yourself from the germs that previous travellers have left behind.

You’ve got reason to be concerned. You may think that you can get sick on a flight from breathing the air of fellow passengers who are coughing and sneezing. But people more often get infected by coming into contact with germs on a contaminated surface and touching their eyes, nose, or mouth, says Irwin Stromeyer, founder of Sterile Space Infection Defense. From there, the germs just need warmth, moisture, and a food supply to start multiplying. For example, in just eight hours, just one cell of E. coli can become a colony of more than 12 million cells.

“That’s way more than enough to make you horrifically sick,” Stromeyer says. Just make sure you’re not part of the problem—here’s why you should never take your shoes off on an airplane.

Your tray table alone likely has more bacteria than a toilet seat or a cellphone. For example, one study revealed that tray tables contained more than 2,000 colony-forming units of bacteria per square inch. To put that in perspective, swabs of cellphones have shown around 27 to 30 colony-forming units per square inch. “So they’re filthy,” says Debra A. Goff, Pharm.D., an infectious disease specialist at Ohio State University, of tray tables. “And they’re never cleaned.”

Fortunately, though, Goff has a plan for how to germ-proof your seat. First, pack a new bag of hand wipes and check to see that they’re antibacterial. “There’s a lot of them that are just hand wipes, meaning they’re basically water with a little aloe to keep your skin moist, but they’re not antibacterial,” Goff says. “So you just have to make sure that they actually say that on the package.”

The distinction? Antibacterial wipes contain alcohol and are FDA-approved to actually kill bacteria, she says.

Then once you’re in your seat, Goff says the best defense against getting sick is self-defense. There are five “high-touch” areas that Goff always sanitizes with the antibacterial wipes:

• The seatbelt handle
• The air vents. “I close the air vent because if there’s bad air in the plane, that’s what’s circulating on top of you,” Goff says.
• The light and call button
• The armrest and recliner button
• Most importantly, the tray table

Flight attendants and fellow passengers are generally more than happy to see Goff break out the antibacterial wipes. And after watching her sanitize her area, Goff’s seatmates more often than not say: “Can I have one?”

So get a bag of wipes and hand them out to receptive fellow passengers. “Unlike sharing bacteria and viruses, this is something you want to share,” Goff says. “It’s a habit worth spreading.”

Now that you know how to germ-proof your seat, find out these things you should never say to a flight attendant.

You’ve heard it over and over again: Diet and exercise are the keys to a healthy weight. As it turns out, though, one is far more important than the other. If you want to drop pounds, focusing on food is your best bet. (Here are the tiny diet changes that can help you lose weight.)

Diet is more important for weight loss

Despite the constant message to burn fat and calories away at the gym, people who only change their diets lose more weight than those who only increase physical activity, according to a report in the journal Systematic Reviews. In fact, another study in the journal PeerJ found that over three years, people who got 30 minutes or more of physical activity a day actually had higher rates of weight gain than those who exercised less. So why isn’t gym time the miracle weight-loss machine we’ve been led to believe?

Basically, it’s way easier to avoid calories in the first place than to try to burn them off, says registered dietitian nutritionist Marjorie Nolan Cohn, MS, RDN, spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Working off a 100-calorie cookie is one thing, but it would take hours at the gym to negate 1,200 calories from a burger and fries. “You can’t exercise off a weekend of terrible eating,” says Nolan Cohn. Committing to a 30-minute workout program? Easy enough. Turning your entire eating plan on its head? Not so much. (Here are the sneaky things that are making you gain weight.)

You can’t out-exercise a poor diet

If you don’t pay attention to portion sizes, you might eat more after you start a new workout routine, says Nolan Cohn. Not only will your appetite increase naturally from the energy burn, but you might also slack off on healthy food choices. “There’s this idea that you’ve earned it to eat something because you worked out,” says Nolan Cohn. “It winds up holding people back.” Half an hour on the treadmill might blast away 300 calories, but just one slice of cake could totally negate that hard work—and then some. This energy to calorie ratio is partly why you can flatten your belly without doing a single crunch.

You might have heard that muscle weighs more than fat. That’s true, but it doesn’t mean you should claim the bigger number on the scale is all muscle. “That’s a few pounds, not 20 or 30 pounds,” says Nolan Cohn. “It’s not an excuse for the weight gain.” If you’ve been exercising without results, your diet is probably to blame.

The most benefits come from both diet and exercise

Still, don’t cancel your gym membership. A systematic review of studies found that pairing diet with exercise was even more successful for weight-loss than diet or exercise alone. Research shows focusing on both led to better long-term results, or sticking healthy habits, which explains why people who double up are more likely to maintain weight loss after one year. And another study found that almost 40 per cent of people who managed their weight loss after four years were still doing 150 minutes of exercise per week.

Plus, exercise doesn’t just burn calories and build muscles—it boosts endorphins too, says Nolan Cohn. “It improves feelings of positivity or accomplishment,” she says. “When you combine those forces [of diet and exercise], it reinforces losing the weight and keeping it off.” Weight maintenance is just the beginning when it comes to reasons to exercise. Studies have linked physical activity to all kinds of other health benefits, from heart health and immune system function to mental health and sleep improvements. “The list just never ends,” says Nolan Cohn. So if you only want to do one, chancing your diet is more valuable. To live your healthiest life, however, you’ll want a combination of both diet and exercise.

Check out these easy ways to lose weight without a lick of exercise.

If you have young children in daycare or school, then you are familiar with pink eye. This contagious eye infection is the most common type of eye infection, but at times it can be difficult to tell if it’s something more. While some infections like pink eye can resolve on their own, others can cause permanent damage and require immediate treatment. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, almost one million people seek treatment for an eye infection each year.

Common eye infections

Conjunctivitis (pink eye) refers to the inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva, the clear membrane that lines the eyelid. Most cases are viral and resolve on their own. If the infection is bacterial, you will require antibiotic eye drops. If you are experiencing eye redness and discharge, here’s how to tell the difference between pink eye and allergies.

Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelid and can be caused by a bacterial infection. While it does not affect vision, it can be quite uncomfortable.

Iritis refers to inflammation of the iris or coloured part of your eye. It can be caused by the shingles virus.

Keratitis is an infection of the cornea, the clear covering over your pupil and iris. Infectious keratitis can be caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi. While it is treatable, it can cause permanent vision impairment if left untreated.

Endophthalmitis is an infection inside of the eye that causes inflammation in the whites of your eyes. According to the American Society of Retina Specialists, infectious endophthalmitis is an emergency and may require immediate surgery.

How do eye infections form?

A common cause of eye infections is wearing contaminated contact lenses. If your contact lens or the case has bacteria on it, those harmful germs will spread to your eye as soon as you touch the lens to your eye. You could also develop an infection by overwearing your contact lenses, which causes inflammation that could cause bacteria to form.

You could also experience an eye infection after coming in contact with contaminated water. This could be water from a swimming pool, the shower, or washing your contact lens. Finally, you could develop a contagious eye infection like conjunctivitis by coming in contact with someone who has the infection.

What are the signs of an eye infection?

• Watery or dry eyes
• Eye discharge
• Redness and swelling
• Itching
• Burning
• Pain
• Sensitivity to light
• Blurred or decreased vision (emergency)
• Cloudiness over the cornea (emergency)

Who is most susceptible?

People with compromised immune systems are at higher risk for any kind of infection including eye infections. If you currently smoke tobacco, research indicates that you are at higher risk for developing an eye infection.

If you wear contact lenses, you are more at risk of developing an infection. Contact lenses are just one of the reasons you could have bloodshot eyes. To lower your risk, never sleep in your lenses and wash them (and their case) regularly.

Individuals who have experienced certain types of eye injuries could also be more at risk of developing an infection. (This is what it could mean if you have a red spot on your eye.)

How are they treated?

Your treatment will depend on what type of eye infection you have. If you have pink eye, don’t rush to treatment as it could be unnecessary.

If you require a topical antibiotic, the medication will be applied directly to your eye in the form of drops or ointment. Sometimes an oral antibiotic is needed. Your doctor may also prescribe steroid eye drops to help calm down the inflammation.

Regardless of what type of infection you’re healing from, your doctor will most likely recommend that you take a break from your contact lenses—hard lenses should be sanitized and soft ones should be replaced.

Your optometrist wishes you knew these eye care tips.