Optical Oddities to Avoid in the Winter Season

Winter can be rough on eyes – here are some optical oddities to avoid in the winter season.

Germs, low temperatures, snowballs, and icicles. It’s a winter wonderland of vision hazards.

As if avoiding the common cold, or worse yet, the flu was not enough – now one has to consider their eye health as well.  Things like frozen corneas, snow blindness, foggy lenses, winter sports eye injuries, icy eyelashes, and pink eye are some of the optical oddities to avoid.

The following are some useful tips to avoid these oddities from occurring and maintaining your eye health throughout the winter season.

Skier Wearing Protective Eyewear

Common Winter Eye Problems

Dryness – Cold winter winds can dry your eyes out. Cold outdoor air and heated indoor air usually contain less moisture and tend to dehydrate the human body.

Redness – When eyes get dry, they tend to develop redness, tenderness and inflammation throughout the winter months. Our eyes also tend to get irritated and “itchy” when dry, resulting in a tendency to constantly rub them – also causing redness.

Excessive Tearing – Often, the cold air and blowing winds and extreme cold temperatures can cause our eyes to tear.

Light Sensitivity – Sunlight can reflect on snow or icy surfaces, which can significantly increase the amount of light. Individuals who have light sensitivity tend to blink more and experience discomfort. The light reflecting off the snow can also cause snow blindness.

Tips to Protect Your Eyes from Common Winter Eye Problems

Use a Humidifier – Maintain healthy moisture levels in the air by using a humidifier. They won’t affect your home’s heating but will provide sufficient moisture in the air to keep your eyes from drying.

Wear Sunglasses – Protect your eyes from harmful UV rays by wearing sunglasses when heading outdoors. If you wear eyeglasses, consider prescription sunglasses or photochromic lenses. You should also wear proper protective eyewear when participating in winter sports.

Maintain a Healthy Diet – Cold water fish are rich in omega-3 based essential fatty acids, which helps in keeping your eyes moisturized. Moreover, you can prevent dry eye in winter by making sure you’re hydrated. Drink at least eight glasses of water daily.

Keep Your Hands Clean – Wash your hands before touching your contact lenses. Keep in mind that rubbing your eyes with your hands can only make your dry eye symptoms worse and even lead to infections.

At Lexington Eye Associated and Dedham Ophthalmic Consultants and Surgeons, we’re here to assist with all your eye care needs. We offer comprehensive eye exams, cataract, retina, glaucoma and refractive surgery evaluations, and treatments for different eye conditions. Call us at (781) 251-2222 or complete our contact form to learn more about our services.

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