How to Protect Your Eyes In Winter

All Minnesotans know that winter can put the body under stress, but have you ever thought about winter’s effects on your eyes?


Eyes can be easily irritated by the fluctuation between brutally cold winter winds outside and the dry heat indoors. These irritations can be broken down into four conditions that are experienced during the winter season:

1. Runny, Wet Eyes

When your eyes attempt to compensate for the dry winds and heat, often they overcompensate and you get watery eyes that produce excessive tears.

To combat this, wearing sunglasses outdoors can protect your eyes from the wind. In addition, be aware of how you are wiping tears from your eyes. You may be irritating your eyes more if you are wiping them with unclean hands or rubbing your eyes vigorously.

2. Dry Eyes

On the opposite end of the spectrum, if your eyes do not produce enough tears, they are dried out by the winds and dry air.

What can you do to help? Here are a few options:

• Give Dr. Tom a ring to chat about the use of prescription eye drops
• Sunglasses will once again help your eyes fight the dryness
• Buy a humidifier for your home or office to add moisture to the air that typically dries out your eyes
• Take Omega-3 supplements to increase tear production
• Drink plenty of water
• Track your medications as some may restrict your ability to create tears. These include antihistamines, sleeping pills, pain relievers, and others.

3. Swollen Eyes

Red, swollen eyes can be caused by compression of the blood vessels in tissues around the eyes. This condition can cause overproduction of tears, blurry vision, and eyelid spasms.

Sunglasses can once again reduce this issue. The UV light reflected on the snow can increase inflammation of the cornea; sunglasses will reduce the UV light’s effects.

4. Burning Eyes

Not only can the cornea become inflamed by winter winds; it can also freeze. Do not force your eyes to open in the wind or cold as these conditions can have damaging effects to your cornea.

If you are experiencing this condition, please call Dr. Tom. He can help find a solution to your eye pain and burning. A temporary fix in the meantime is once again to put on those sunglasses. They will protect your eyes from some of these wind chill effects.

You may have noticed a trend in this article – sunglasses aren’t just for the summer! If you were planning on waiting to get a new pair prescription sunglasses, you might want to rethink that decision. We have many stylish options available at Infinite Eye Care.

Whatever your eye troubles, give Dr. Tom and our team at Infinite Eye Care a call. We can set you up so you’re not suffering through the winter season.

Eye Health: It’s Important in the Winter, Too!

Though you may not realize it, the Minnesota cold can damage your eyes. If you are brave enough to head out in the cold this winter, make sure you know the effects it can have on your health. Here are some common health issues and ways you can handle these eye problems.

The Cold’s Effect on Eyes

Winter weather can leave your eyes red, swollen and in pain. To put is scientifically, the extreme cold can constrict the blood vessels in the eye or even freeze your corneas. These conditions can lead to blurred vision, double vision, or even a loss of vision. If you experience any of these symptoms, see your optometrist immediately; you may need medical care to fix your vision.

Sunburn

Yup, sunburn; it’s not just a problem for the summer. You might not think about it in the winter, but it shouldn’t be ignored. Protecting your eyes is necessary. Your eyes can suffer from something called Photokeratitis (aka snow blindness) and may actually be more dangerous in the winter, as the snow can reflect up to 80% of the sun’s light. To prevent UV light from injuring your eyes, be sure to wear UV-blocking sunglasses or goggles.

Discomfort From the Cold

The frigid, cold winter wind can also cause dry eyes, which will lead to some major discomfort. This discomfort could get worse when you are out and about enjoying the snow by skiing, snowboarding, or sledding. Be sure to protect your eyes when you are out enjoying the winter weather. If your eyes are consistently dry, make sure to carry lubricating eye drops with you. For more info, check out our blog about Dry Winter Eyes from 2013.

Indoor Issues

Sadly enough, the indoors may not be completely safe for your eyes either. During the winter, there are lower humidity levels indoors (and outdoors), which may cause dry eyes. If you notice this in your home, look into purchasing a humidifier. It’s also helpful to stay well hydrated.

The winter can be hard on your eyes, but thankfully, winter eye issues are easily managed. If you experience pain in your eyes after being in an extremely cold setting, immediately get into a warm spot and seek medical attention. If you experience consistent discomfort from cold winds blowing in your eyes, cover them or bring eye drops with you. And even though you won’t be spending your weekends on the lake (unless it’s in a fish house), sunglasses aren’t a bad idea.

No matter the conditions, always remember to protect your eyes. From your friends at Infinite Eye Care, have a happy and healthy new year!