What are the Eye Problems You Face During Winter?

Winter weather conditions like drier air, lower temperatures, and grounds filled with snow and ice can present various health challenges to you. These can range from problems as simple as stiffer joints to problems that can cause serious health issues, including dangerous slips and falls.

Remember, the winter season also affects your eyes negatively and makes eye care more challenging. This is why you need to know what can protect your eyes during winter and look for the right treatment options when you recognize something is wrong with your eyes.

Here are some common reasons for eye problems in the winter season.

Cold and Dry Air

As the air and wind become cold and dry during winter, it can pull moisture from your eye’s surface, making it itchy and red. Sometimes, you may also feel like something has gotten into your eyes, accompanied by a burning sensation. Remember, dry eyes can lead to cornea damage and blurry vision in the long run.

On the other hand, cold, dry air can also make your eyes watery. These additional tears produced by your eyes are your body’s reaction to dry air so that your eyes remain lubricated from inside even when exposed to cold and dry air.

Here are some practical tips on how to handle dry ‘winter’ eyes:

• Moisten your eye surface using over-the-counter eye drops,
• Place a damp, warm washcloth for a few minutes over your eyes daily.
• Try to use contact lenses for a lesser duration during the winter.
• Get a prescription medicine for dry eyes from your eye specialist.

Ultra Violet Light

If you want to keep up your vitamin D levels and your heart pumping, you must spend a considerable amount of time outside your home during winter. However, most outdoor activities during winter, such as outdoor skating, skiing, and sledding, can also increase your chances of “snow blindness." This condition mostly occurs when ultraviolet rays reflect directly back from the ice and snow onto your eyes, which may cause the burning of your cornea, the clear tissue that paves the pathway for light to enter your eye. It can be thought of as a form of photokeratitis or sunburn that happens to the eye. This condition is more prone to occur at places with higher elevations where there are more chances of UV radiation.

Also, keep in mind that UV damage to the eyes can cause itchiness, eye pain, blurry vision, and light sensitivity in the short term. In the long term, eye damage due to ultraviolet rays can lead to more crucial eye conditions such as cataracts and macular degeneration.

Even though the sun's rays are weaker and days tend to be shorter in winter, it is very important to protect your eyes by wearing goggles, sunglasses, etc. Wearing hats can also be helpful. If you experience any symptoms of snow blindness or vision problems, make sure to contact your eye doctor immediately.

See Also: How to Improve Your Vision and Effectively Decrease Eye Strain.

Less Sun and Sleep

During the winter months, you may feel your eyes are getting old faster, and you may also get dark circles or visible swelling under your eyes. This is because you have less exposure to the sun, have dry skin, and feel more tired during wintertime. To fight such a winter eye appearance, it is essential that you get a few minutes of sun exposure each day, full eight hours of sleep every night, plenty of water, and develop a habit of using hydrating eye creams.

Indoor Allergies

Don’t forget that as we spend more hours indoor in winter, we are more prone to indoor allergens such as mold, bug droppings, animal dander, and dust mites. Also, remember that heating systems can circulate the allergens that have been settled in the heat ducts throughout the entire year. In winter, common eye allergy symptoms are eye burning, watery eyes, itchiness, and eye redness.

Here are some tips to combat eye allergies during winter

• Use over-the-counter allergy medications and eye drops to alleviate the symptoms.
• Replace filters, use dehumidifiers, and clean out air ducts frequently to keep the indoor allergens away.
• Instead of carpet, use wood or tile flooring.
• Get in touch with your eye doctor for a prescription of allergy relief medications.

See Also: Preventing The Most Common Eye Problems and Eye Diseases

If you are searching for the best eye care hospital in Kolkata to care for your eye problem, visit your nearest eye hospital Netralayam. We will be happy to tell you more about taking care of your eyes in the winter.