Do Your Eyes Feel More Tired in Winter?

Have you ever noticed that every winter, your eyes may feel drier, heavier, and more fatigued than at other times of the year? This may occur even if your daily routine is identical to the rest of the year, including work hours and sleep habits. So, what gives? 

The answer may be subtle seasonal shifts that affect how your eyes function. It may also include changes in indoor air quality, weather, and lighting, which all may contribute to increased eye fatigue. 

The article below examines why your eyes may feel more tired in the winter and steps you can take for healthy eyes all year long.
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What contributes to winter eye fatigue?

Several factors can lead to an increase in eye fatigue during the winter months including those listed below.

Reduced sunlight may impact vision: Natural sunlight provides optimal illumination, which your eyes are meant to work with. When sunlight decreases during winter, we rely more on artificial light, which is usually dimmer and uneven. Low lighting forces your eyes to work harder to maintain clarity, which can lead to headaches, eye strain, and fatigue. You may not even realize that during the winter, your eyes are operating in a different environment, with dimmer indoor lighting.

Winter air and dry eyes: During the winter months, the air outside is cold and dry, which can affect tear evaporation. If you combine cold outside air with increased exposure to indoor heating systems, it is the perfect recipe for dry eyes.

When the surface of your eye becomes dry, your eyes must work harder to maintain visual clarity. This increased effort can lead to a heavy feeling behind the eyes.

More screen time leads to eyestrain: If you're like many people, you spend more time indoors during the winter.  In modern society, increased time indoors often means more dependence on screen time for entertainment. Spending more time scrolling social media, playing video games, or working on your laptop can lead to digital eyestrain and eye fatigue.

Circadian rhythm dysfunction: Reduced morning sunlight in the winter and earlier sunsets can affect your circadian rhythm, which is your internal clock that regulates energy levels, alertness, and sleep.  If circadian rhythm dysfunction occurs, your eyes may feel increased fatigue even if your vision is clear. That's because your overall energy level and alertness may be low, which may require your eyes to work harder.  Morning sunlight exposure keeps your brain and your eyes alert. When we don't get enough light, visual tasks can lead to increased eye fatigue throughout the day.
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How to support your eyes during winter

You may not be able to head off to a tropical location every winter. But making minor adjustments can reduce winter eye fatigue, such as: 

• Increase indoor humidity with a humidifier and avoid standing directly in front of fireplaces, wood stoves, or heating vents. 
• Manage screen time by increasing the text size and taking frequent breaks to reduce strain.
• Use brighter indoor lighting for working and reading and avoid overly dim lamps. 
• Use artificial tears as directed to reduce dry eyes.
• Protect your eyes from the harsh weather by wearing sunglasses.
• Practice good selfcare including eating a well-balanced diet, getting enough sleep, staying well hydrated and exercising regularly.
• If your eyes persistently feel strained or fatigued, or become worse throughout the day, it is best to see an eye doctor.

Remember, you don’t have to tolerate eye fatigue until the spring. With a few changes you can keep your eyes feeling healthy during every season.  

If you would like to ask whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, call our office at 508-746-8600.