Caring for your Eyes in Cold Weather

Now that the cooler seasons have arrived, let’s talk about some tips of how to take care of our eyes from the cold’s effects.

with the cold, our air also becomes drier. add to that our indoor heating and we’ve created a cocktail that may lead to our eyes drying out.

TIPS:

- Retain moisture in the air by keeping a humidifier at home, especially while sleeping. Struggling with dry eyes at the office? Keep a small humidifier at your desk.
(Reminder: Always keep settings on COOL. Bacteria have a higher likelihood of forming at warm settings.)

- Try over-the-counter artificial tears or contact lens rewetting drops for our contacts lens wearers. Avoid drops with vasoconstrictors on its label and allergy drops as both will further dry out the eyes.
(Ask your eye doctor for recommended brands.)

- Blink more often. Increasing your blink rate helps maintain your eyes’ protective tear film layer to flush out debris that enters the eyes.
(Double Tip: Keep a post-it note on your computer monitor that says “BLINK!”, a simple alert that works like a charm.)

- Drink more water. Water eliminates excess salt and keeps your body hydrated, including your eyes.

- If you are still exhibiting dryness, then you may need a more comprehensive approach. Visit your eye doctor for a thorough assessment. They can determine whether you may need prescription eye drops, eyelid maintenance, or a combination of treatments to help restore your tear production and relieve the cause of dry eyes from its root.

The sun’s UV radiation is more dangerous in the winter than the summer. snow acts as a mirror - It is highly reflective. it can reflect up to 90% UV radiation and cause almost 2x more damage.

TIPS:

- Sunglasses are the main armors against UV radiation. The ideal pair is polarized, 100% UV protection, and large enough to allow coverage from the top and bottom of the eyes.
(Bonus points if your shades have a wrap or side-shield for protection from the sides.)

3. Winter sports means high velocity activities in cold-prone, wind-prone, and fall-prone situations.

TIPS:

- Be sure to protect your eyes from injury by wearing prescription sports glasses or sunglasses specifically made for active wear.

- Contact lenses are great alternatives to help with the struggles of eyewear falling off or lenses fogging.

Term of the day: Snow Blindness

Noun. (snō blaīndnes). Also termed photokeratitis. A painful eye condition caused by overexposure to UV radiation. A sunburn of the outer layer of the eye, the cornea. Symptoms include pain and burning of the eyes, sensitivity and abnormal glare to lights, headache, and blurred vision after UV exposure. Prevented by wearing quality sunglasses. Relieved in a few days by resting the eyes indoors.

Usually temporary, but prolonged overexposure to UV radiation can lead to Solar Retinopathy - Permanent loss of some vision from toxicity scarring of the foveal region of the retinal tissue in the eyes. Caused by sun gazing. sun bathing, or eclipse viewing without proper protective eyewear.