Eye problems in winter

During the winter months, the weather and the environment can really affect your eyes, and this can often be forgotten. Here are some common eye problems people can suffer from during winter and tips on how to combat them.

Dry eyes

During winter, the weather is colder and windier and this can really dry out your eyes, but also when you try to get warm using heat, such as a heater or central heating, this can also dry out your eyes. Some easy tips to help combat this problem are using artificial tear drops to keep your eyes hydrated throughout the day, drinking plenty of water, and even a hot soup will keep your body and eyes hydrated. Also try to avoid direct heat, especially heat that blows directly into your face, such as car heaters, try to direct the flow of air away from your face. If it is a windy day, you can wear goggles or goggles to help protect your eyes from the wind directly drying them. If you already suffer from dry eyes, it is always a good idea to speak with your ophthalmologist if you have problems in the winter months, as he will advise you what else you can do to keep your eyes dry during the winter.

Crying eyes

In addition to winter weather that dries out your eyes, cold weather can also cause your eyes to produce tears that can be very bothersome and can cause blurry vision. The best thing to help with this is to wear glasses, goggles, or sunglasses when outside to prevent the wind from causing watery eyes. Also, if you are cleaning your eyes to get rid of tears, be sure to use clean tissues or washcloths to avoid infection. Excessive tearing of the eyes can also be caused by other factors, such as infection, blocked tear duct, or surprisingly dry eyes, so if you are concerned, make an appointment with your ophthalmologist or an optician so they can check it out.

Tired eyes

The winter months are darker and the natural light is less, which can make certain tasks, such as reading and writing, difficult. Forcing your eyes to see in low light can cause eyestrain and make your eyes feel tired faster than usual. To help this, try to have a lamp on when doing work nearby and if you need glasses to see well be sure to wear them to avoid overloading your eyesight.

Light sensitive eyes

The sun tends to be lower in the sky during winter and this can cause difficulty seeing, especially when driving, sensitivity to light, and damage caused by ultraviolet rays. Try to make a habit of not only wearing sunglasses in the summer, but also in the winter. If you drive, keep a spare pair of sunglasses in your car so you’re always prepared for the low, bright sun. Sunglasses also protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays, which can contribute to many eye problems, such as cataracts. Make sure your sunglasses are 100% protected against UVA and UVB rays.

Red eyes

Red eyes can be a sign of many things, such as tiredness, dryness, blurred vision, excessive tearing, infection, and inflammation. Winter weather can cause red eyes due to many of these factors, but it can also be caused by direct sunlight or reflected off snow, for example. This can lead to inflammation of the cornea causing red eyes, which is why this is another reason why wearing sunglasses or snow glasses is so important in winter.