Cold Weather Eye Care Tips for the Winter Season

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.
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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.
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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”.