Vision and Eye-Care Tips for the Cold Winter Months
While you may be familiar with the dangers to your eyes caused by the hot summer sun, you might not have thought about the winter dangers. You may be surprised to learn that winter can be just as dangerous for your eyesight as the summer months. Thankfully, there are many things you can do to help protect your eyes from damage during the excessively cold part of the year, including each of the following tips.
Tip: Increase the Humidity Level in Your Home and Office
As the weather outside gets colder, your eyes will be exposed to dry, heated air from HVAC systems. The dry air will make your eyes feel scratchy. You can keep your eyes from being too dry in your home and office this winter by:
- placing houseplants around the room
- use a portable humidifier
- use moisturizing eye drops
By keeping your eyes moist, you will keep them from feeling irritated.
Tip: Wear Your Glasses More and Your Contact Lenses Less
If you wear contact lenses, then it is important for them to be well lubricated to be comfortable. Since the dry air in winter causes problems with lubricating your eyes, you can help prevent uncomfortable and scratchy eyes by wearing your glasses more. By wearing your eyeglasses and letting your eyes rest from your contact lenses, you will help your eyes feel more comfortable and can prevent scratches on your eyes caused by your dry contact lenses.
Tip: Always Wear Sunglasses Outdoors During Winter
Even if the winter sun isn't as glaring and irritating to your eyes as it is in the summer months, it is just as damaging to your eyes. The winter ultraviolet rays are just as bad and those of the summer sun. And, since many people choose not to wear sunglasses for the milder winter sun, there is a bigger chance for lasting eye damage to occur. It is vital for the health of your eyes that you wear sunglasses when you are outdoors in the sun. The sunglasses work to block the sun's harmful UV rays, and they also act as a physical barrier to block cold winds from hitting your eyes and causing irritation.
Tip: See Your Eye Doctor Regularly
Finally, it is important for you to get regular eye exams whether you currently wear glasses or contacts or not. While you are at an eye-exam appointment at a practice like Webster Eye Care, you should ask our optometrist any additional questions you may have about winter eye care.
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