With temperatures dropping fast and winter around the corner, it’s time to think about keeping your eyes healthy during the colder months. With a few helpful tips and tricks and a visit to your ophthalmologist or optometrist in Jackson Heights, you can enjoy hydrated and protected eyes no matter the weather.
In this blog post, we will discuss a few common eye concerns people face during the winter months and share tips for keeping your eyes healthy all season.
Dry Eyes
Cold, dry, blustery outdoor air dehydrates our eyes in the winter. However, that’s not the only air we have to look out for. Warm indoor air circulated through heating systems can be just as drying and damaging.
How to Prevent It
It’s all about retaining moisture and keeping your eyes hydrated. You can do this by:
- Drinking plenty of water to hydrate your whole body
- Visiting your ophthalmologist for dry eye care
- Regulating indoor temperatures to avoid excessive dry heat
- Running a humidifier to keep indoor air moist
- Using artificial tears to restore hydration as needed
Redness and Inflammation
The winter season brings with it plenty of seasonal allergies and colds, which means puffy, red, and inflamed eyes. While many people see this as just a pesky symptom of feeling under the weather, there are ways to treat it and keep it in check.
How to Prevent It
Keep yourself healthy and prevent illness-related inflammation by:
- Seeking allergy care from your eye doctor
- Being diligent about hand-washing
- Not sharing eye makeup or products
- Avoiding touching and rubbing your eyes as much as possible
Learn more about the dangers of eye rubbing in this related blog post.
Irritation
Snow and ice debris may find their way into our eyes and irritate our corneas. Whether you are moving at high speed (skiing and snowboarding) or the snow itself is moving at high speed (a blizzard), it’s important to protect your eyes from abrasions.
How to Prevent It
Prevent irritation and injury by:
- Wearing protective goggles during outdoor winter activities
UV Damage
Sun damage doesn’t only happen in the summer. In fact, the winter can be an especially dangerous time for UV exposure. Snow reflects UV rays and bounces them back up into our eyes. Combined with less attention to wearing sunglasses than in the summer, this snow reflection creates a recipe for UV damage that slips under the radar.
How to Prevent It
Protect your eyes no matter the season by:
- Wearing protective sunglasses with UV filters
- Being mindful of the time you spend outdoors in bright light
The most important tip? Remember to contact a qualified eye doctor if you have any concerns about your eyes in the winter or at any time of year.
If you would like to learn more about winter eye care and treatments for seasonal eye issues, please contact us online or call 866-599-8774.
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