Helpful winter eye care tips

It’s winter, and for many people, it’s cold outside! Whether you live in a cold climate or not, the weather is likely to affect your eyes more than you may think.

Seasonal Allergies: Pollen is not the only thing that can cause itching, burning eyes or bother your contact lenses. Dust mites, pet dander and other allergens can also be a problem. These are referred to as indoor allergies.

Winter is a time to protect your eyes because it is the season in which most people tend to suffer from the most severe eye problems.

Here is a comprehensive guide on how to protect your eyes this winter.

Tip 1: Avoid Rubbing Your Eyes

Rubbing the eyes is common in winter weather and is often a helpful response to dry, itchy or irritated eyes. However, such rubbing can cause more problems like dry, painful or itchy eyes. This may also lead to a host of more severe issues such as dry eyes, red eyes, itchy eyes (dry eyes), conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, eye inflammation and in extreme cases, visual impairment!

Tip 2: Get an anti-glare on your prescription glasses

Anti-glare coatings help protect your eyes from the sun and its harmful UV rays and help reduce glare.

Tip 3: Don’t forget to blink

Dry or irritated eyes tend to be more sensitive in cold weather. Therefore, you should blink more often. If you read or use a computer every day for extended periods, you may find that you do not blink as much when you do so. Blinking slows down when a task requires dedicated visual attention.

Tip 4: Wear UV-blocking sunglasses

Sun glare makes dry eye symptoms worse, but UV-blocking sunglasses can help. Wear sunglasses outside to protect your eyes from the wind and cold air. Look for shades that block 99% to 100% UVA and UVB light.

Tip 5: Know the signs of dry eyes and talk to your doctor about treatment.

Waking up with your eyes feeling like you have sand in them or noticing that there is a dryness to them as the day goes on, is both uncomfortable and inconvenient. A dry eye is caused by allergies, windy conditions, or staring at a computer for too long. Dry eye also happens on a chronic basis for others, where their eyes do not produce enough tears. See a doctor if you’ve had red or painful eyes, or they’re watering, sensitive to light or feel gritty. Your doctor may discuss options such as laser eye surgery to treat it. However, your dry eye must be under current treatment to qualify.

If you’ve ever wondered how much LASIK surgery is, the prices vary – speak to your ophthalmologist to discuss payment plans according to your budget.

Tip 6: Use a humidifier

During the winter months, the cold, dry air in your home can prove highly uncomfortable for your eyes. Seasonal eye issues can make daily living a real pain, from itchy, watery eyes to painfully irritated eyeballs and bright-light sensitivity. Ensuring high moisture levels in the air will keep your eyes feeling comfortable. Artificial tears or over-the-counter eye drops also provide immediate help to relieve dry eye symptoms.

Winter can be hard on your eyes, but there are ways to help protect them from damage and irritation. You can improve your vision by making a few simple changes to how you care for your eyes during the winter months.