Kadrmas Eye Care New England
  • Doctors
    • Eddie Kadrmas, MD
    • Richard Strecker, MD
    • Daniel J. Townsend, MD
    • David Lotufo, MD
    • Aimee Gray, OD
    • Ashley Sousa, OD
  • Patients
    • CV-19 Statement
    • Eye Conditions >
      • Cataracts
      • Common Eye Problems >
        • Allergies
        • Amblyopia
        • Astigmatism
        • Blepharitis
        • Chalazion / Stye
        • Conjunctivitis
        • Corneal Abrasion
        • Floaters & Flashes
        • Hyperopia / Farsightedness
        • Myopia / Nearsightedness
        • Presbyopia
        • Strabismus
      • Corneal Diseases & Disorders >
        • Corneal Ulcers
        • Fuchs’ Dystrophy
        • Herpes Zoster / Shingles
        • Keratitis
        • Keratoconus
        • Pterygium
      • Diabetic Eye Disease
      • Dry Eye Syndrome
      • Eyelid Diseases & Disorders >
        • Dermatochalasis
        • Ectropion
        • Entropion
        • Eyelid Lesion
        • Ptosis
        • Tear Duct Obstruction
        • Tumor
      • Eye Trauma / Injury >
        • Blunt Trauma
        • Chemical Injury
        • Penetrating / Perforating Injury
      • Glaucoma >
        • Open Angle Glaucoma >
          • iStent
        • Narrow Angle Glaucoma
        • Neovascular Glaucoma
        • Inflammatory Glaucoma
      • Macular Diseases & Disorders >
        • Macular Degeneration
        • Macular Hole
        • Macular Pucker
      • Neurological Eye Diseases >
        • Blepharospasm
        • Double Vision
        • Ischemic Optic Neuropathy
        • Stroke / Visual Field Defect
        • Temporal Arteritis
      • Retinal Diseases & Disorders >
        • Retinal Tears & Detachments
        • Retinal Vascular Diseases
      • Uveitis & Iritis
    • Resources >
      • Eye Health & Care Blog
      • Retina Digest
    • Videos >
      • Eye Anatomy
      • Cataract
      • Laser Cataract Surgery
      • Children's Vision
      • Common Eye Problems
      • Corneal Conditions
      • Diabetic Eye Disease
      • Dry Eye Syndrome
      • Glaucoma
      • Laser & Refractive Eye Surgery
      • LASIK Over 45
      • LASIK Under 45
      • Macular Degeneration
      • Plastic Eye Surgery
      • Retinal Conditions
      • Refractive Errors
      • Routine Eye Exams
    • Forms & Policies >
      • New Patient Forms
      • HIPAA Policy
      • Referral Forms
    • Financial Information
  • Services
    • Routine Eye Exams >
      • Children
      • Adults
    • Hearing Therapy
    • Specialized Eye Exams >
      • Dilated Eye Exam / Slit Lamp Examination
      • Fluorescein Angiogram
      • Indocyanine Green Angiogram
      • Nerve Fiber Analysis
      • Optical Coherence Tomography
      • Refraction
      • Tonometry
      • Visual Acuity Testing
      • Visual Field Testing
    • Medical, Injection & Surgical / Laser Eye Care
    • Contact Lenses >
      • Contact Lens Types
      • Contact Lens Care & Safety
    • Refractive Eye Surgery >
      • LASIK Eye Surgery
      • PRK
      • Clear Lens Extraction
      • Implantable Collamer Lenses
    • Oculoplastic Surgery & Cosmetic Procedures >
      • Blepharoplasty
      • BOTOX®
      • Restylane®
  • Locations
    • Plymouth
    • The Pinehills
    • East Wareham
    • Mashpee
    • Surgery Centers
  • About
    • News
    • Affiliations
    • Patient Reviews
  • Careers
  • Contact
To Schedule Your Eye Appointment, Please Call 1-508-746-8600

Patient Resources - Eye Health & Care Blog

Cold Weather Eye Care Tips for the Winter Season

12/12/2017

4 Comments

 
Picture
The holiday season often means family traditions, gift giving, and cold weather. For those of us here in New England, winter weather typically brings freezing temperatures, and temperatures below zero are not uncommon. Regardless of how you feel about winter and the weather it brings, the cold can affect your eyes. Keep reading to find out how winter weather affects your eyes and what you can do to protect your vision during the cold months of the year. 

Cold Weather, Dry Air & Your Eyes

The cold air and wind outside can dry your eyes. Even if you prefer to stay inside next to a roaring fire though, the air inside your home is also often drier during the winter months. The cold seeps in your home, lowering the humidity level inside. When you turn up the heat to get warm, it makes the air even drier.
 
Although the low humidity and cold temperatures may dry out your eyes, some people experience the opposite problem. Exposure to cold weather may also cause excessive tearing, which can lead to blurry vision.
​

Winter Colds & Your Eyes

Winter weather can often mean cold and flu season is in full swing. It might be surprising, but viral infections, such as the common cold, can also affect your eyes. Viral conjunctivitis is sometimes linked with an upper respiratory infection, such as a cold. Conjunctivitis, which is commonly called pink eye, involves an inflammation of the membrane that covers the white part of the eye and lines the eyelid.
 
Viral conjunctivitis can affect one or both eyes. Symptoms include red and itchy eyes, excess tearing, and a gritty feeling in the eyes. Some people also have a discharge from their eyes, which can form a crust at night. If you or a loved one are experiencing these symptoms, have seek evaluation and treatment from an eye doctor to prevent the condition from getting worse.

Indoor Allergens & Your Eyes

Cold weather outside is not the only potential hazard to your eyes during the winter months. Allergies can also affect your eyes. Although you may associate allergies with warmer months, many people also have allergy symptoms during the winter.
 
Common indoor allergens, such as animal dander and dust mites, may be worse during the winter months. In addition, during the winter, you’re more likely to keep windows closed, which means there is less ventilation. Less ventilation can trap allergens indoors.
 
During the colder months, as your furnace kicks on, it can also cause dust to recirculate through your duct system. Plus, your lifestyle during the cold weather may mean you’re spending more time indoors exposed to the allergens.
 
Winter allergies may affect you the same way your warmer weather allergies can. If you have allergies, you already know how they can affect you and your eyes. If you’re not sure whether you’re having winter allergies, common allergic reactions include red, burn, and watery eyes, as well as stuffy, itchy, or runny noses, sneezing, coughing, and the like. If you suspect you have indoor / winter allergies, contact your primary care physician to learn about ways to manage your allergies and symptoms.
​

Tips to Protect Your Eyes During the Cold Months

It’s clear that winter weather is not always easy on the eyes. While the harsh weather outside, along with dry and stuffy air inside, can irritate eyes and cause vision issues, there are several things you can do to protect your eyes this winter, including:
  • Keep eyes moist: Dry, irritated eyes are one of the most common winter weather hazards. To keep your eyes moist this winter, make sure you stay well-hydrated. Also consider using a humidifier in your home to add a little moisture to the air. It’s also a good idea to be aware of medications that can add to dry eyes. For example, certain allergy medications or over-the-counter sleep aids may be drying. If you develop dry eyes or are concerned that you might be getting dry eye, schedule an eye exam and talk with your eye doctor about using appropriate eye drops for you and your condition.
  • Wear sunglasses: Just because it’s cold outside, doesn’t mean you don’t need UV protection for your eyes. In fact, the sun reflecting off the snow can be particularly harmful and damaging to the eyes. Whether you’re an avid skier or year-round runner, or you just enjoy a good snowball fight, eye protection is critical to protecting your vision during the winter months. Even in overcast weather, eyes are exposed to UV rays. The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) recommends wearing sunglasses or goggles with proper UV protection when spending time outdoors in the snow, just as you would when you spend time outdoors during the summer.
  • Avoid infection: Bacteria and viruses can enter your body through your eyes. Certain viruses are more common during the winter months and can lead to illness. You can decrease your chances of developing an infection by frequent handwashing, avoiding touching your nose and mouth with unwashed hands, and getting enough rest.
  • Decrease indoor allergens: You can reduce your chances of allergy symptoms, including those affecting your eyes, by taking some simple steps. Wash your bedding in hot water about once a week, and use allergy-proof pillows and comforters. Change your air filters regularly, and consider using a HEPA filter to decrease dust in the air. Also vacuum regularly if you have carpet and / or pets.
  • Divert the heat away from your face: Blasting the heater in your car can dry your eyes. Be sure to point the heating vents in your car away from your eyes when you crank up the heat.
 
We hope the tips above will help you prevent any eye problems this winter. If you have any questions or concerns about your eyes or vision or would like to schedule an appointment with one of our ophthalmologists, please call our office at 508-746-8600.
 
Please check back soon for our next post, “Winter Sports Eye Safety”. 
4 Comments
Kids Eye Doctor near Me link
1/26/2020 11:24:49 pm

Thanks for sharing this useful information. I have noted all tips.

Reply
Signet Ring UK link
10/2/2020 03:44:50 am

Great Post! You are sharing a wonderful post. Thanks and keep sharing.

Reply
Book An Appointment With Doctors Online link
11/25/2020 09:32:11 pm

Thanks for sharing a useful information. True Med - Your Personal online Medical Care. You can book your appointment and consult with doctor online through APP

Reply
advance collagen link
8/28/2021 11:03:28 am

Political influences certainly play a major role in influencing Fashion. Many politicians become fashion symbols. Notable examples are First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and Princess Diana. Also, political revolutions make a huge impact on the Fashion trend. For example, in 1960’s America, liberal clothing styles became popular among the younger generation. This was due to the Liberal revolution.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    EYE HEALTH BLOG


    CLICK HERE to sign up for our eye health / care newsletter and have it delivered automatically to your inbox each month!

    Categories

    All
    AMD
    Astigmatism
    Cataract
    Children's Eye Health
    Color Blindness
    Conjunctivitis
    Contact Lens
    Cornea
    Cosmetic Eye Surgery
    Covid 19
    Diabetic Eye Disease
    Driving
    Dry Eyes
    Eye Allergies
    Eye Cancer
    Eye Exam
    Eye Health & Safety
    Eye Strain
    Glaucoma
    Injuries
    Low Vision
    Lupus
    Macula
    Myasthenia Gravis
    Organ Donation
    Retina
    Retinopathy
    Scleritis
    Senior Eye Health
    Sports
    Stroke
    Stye
    Vision Correction
    Vision Loss
    Women's Eye Health

    RSS Feed


    Picture

Kadrmas Eye Care New England

55 Commerce Way, Plymouth, MA 02360
The Pinehills, 1 Village Green North, Plymouth, MA 02360
3119 Cranberry Highway, East Wareham, MA 02538
133 Falmouth Road (Rt 28), Mashpee, MA 02649
Phone Number:
​1-508-746-8600

Hours:
Monday through Friday - 
8 AM - 4:30 PM 
Early Evening Hours Available - Please Call for Details
© 2015-2021 Kadrmas Eye Care New England • All Rights Reserved
KadrmasEyeCare.com Privacy Policy • Disclaimer of Medical Liability
Proudly powered by Weebly
Design by DivTag Templates