6 Winter Eye Care Tips For Healthy Eyes

Winter is here and even though it’s time for holidays, the winter still causes problems and annoyances. If you already have a sensitive body, then you probably don’t like the winter due to dry skin, static electricity in your hair, and of course issues with your eyes. There are so many aspects that winter impacts, and for people with sensitive eyes, this season can truly bring troubles. 

Winter causes various different eye issues. Harsh winds can result in dry and itchy eyes. Constant temperature changes and a runny nose can cause teary eyes. If you recognize yourself in some of these situations, let’s see how you can help your eyes stay healthy and not irritated during winter. 

Drink Plenty of Fluids

In order to keep your eyes healthy, it’s important to stay hydrated during winter. You should drink plenty of healthy fluids, including water, green tea, lemon water, and other nutrient-rich beverages. You should try avoiding caffeine, i.e. coffee in order to prevent your body from expelling too much fluid and getting dehydrated. 

Warm Cloth for Compression

Dry eyes are especially annoying during the winter, especially if you wear contact lenses. You can soothe your eyes with eye drops, but if you don’t have those at hand, you can use something else for soothing compression. You can use a clean warm washcloth and put it over your eyes for some time to compress and moisten them. This can soothe any itchiness, irritation, and swollen eyes. Plus, you get to improve your vision and avoid blurriness due to tearing.

Visit Your Doctor

If you’ve already tried a trick or two to moisten your eyes, and it is still not working, it’s time to visit your eye doctor. In order to prevent any infections and further complications, you should go to your ophthalmologist to see if everything is in order. They might prescribe some other eye drops or even tips and tricks on how to soothe your eyes. Plus, if your vision is too blurry and tears are not the issue, you might want to check your eyes to see if you need new glasses. Don’t leave anything to chance if you notice that your eyes are severely dry and irritated. 

Protect Your Eyes from UV Rays

Even though winter is less sunny, there is still plenty of UV rays that could damage your eyes. UV rays can injure your eyes’ surface which can cause inflammation of the cornea and you may even need antibiotics to treat the infection. To avoid this, you can simply protect your eyes with a quality pair of sunglasses. Even though there is less sun during the winter, there still is sun and if there is snow the reflection is stronger and it could damage your eyes. If you notice any symptoms such as pain, sensitivity, and redness, make sure to visit your ophthalmologist for further treatment. 

How to Reduce Excessive Tearing

We have already mentioned how eyes can tear excessively during the winter. This is partially annoying and it can blur your vision. Cold air and winds are the usual suspects during the winter, but you can quickly reduce excessive tearing:

• Swab and wipe your eyes with a clean tissue

• Protect them by wearing sunglasses outdoors

• Try allergy medication because allergies do happen during the winter, too

How to Reduce Dry Eyes

The opposite of tearing is dry and itchy eyes. This happens when a person cannot produce enough tears to lubricate the eyes and this can cause itchiness and even irritation. Since your eyes need moisture, you should make sure to lubricate them properly or at least protect them. To reduce the dryness you can try:

• Protect them with sunglasses outdoors to prevent winds from getting to your eyes

• Avoid dryness with over-the-counter eye drops and moisturize your eyes several times a day. However, don’t overdo it since some drops could cause damage - talk to your doctor for suggestions. 

Winter is magical due to festivities, but for our bodies, it can often be too harsh. Cold air, wind, snow, and dry air inside the house could cause various changes to your body, and they can especially affect your eyes. Cold winter months can cause various issues such as dry and itchy eyes, excessive tearing, and even swollen eyes. You can easily keep your eyes healthy by drinking plenty of fluids and using over-the-counter eye drops. But, if you notice anything strange or persistent symptoms, visit your doctor.