Winter is here, bringing with it bitterly cold temperatures and windy weather. It’s easy to remember to wear a scarf to protect your face, gloves to keep your fingers warm and boots to keep your feet dry– but what about your eyes? Protecting your eyes during cold winter months is vital in order to keep them healthy throughout the year.
The most common eye complaint in winter is dryness, which creates a burning or itching sensation or the feeling that a foreign object is in your eyes. The cause of dry eyes in cold weather may be due to lower humidity levels inside of your home or workplace, when the heat is on and the windows are closed. Installing an air filter in your home can help your eyes by filtering out dust and particles from the air, while a simple humidifier can add moisture to dry air created by heating. Spending time outside can also have a drying effect. You can use natural eye drop solutions and lubricants to help relieve any dry eye symptoms you’re dealing with.
Being outside in temperatures lower than 30 degrees can irritate your eyes and lead to inflammation, causing them to become red, watery and itchy. Exposure to cold temperatures can also cause eye pain, loss of vision, blurred or decreased vision, double vision and sensitivity to light. If you are going to be spending a lot of time outdoors skiing, sledding or snowboarding this winter, make sure to wear goggles or sunglasses to protect your eyes.
When you spend several hours outdoors, you also run the risk of exposing your eyes to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun’s reflection on snow and ice. Over exposure can cause early cataract development and other eye conditions. If you will be spending any amount of time outdoors, shield your eyes from the sun’s glare and make sure to always wear sunglasses. The Optical Boutique at Illinois Eye Center has a great selection of glasses with the right amount of UV protection for you and your entire family.
If you need additional information on the effects of winter weather on your eyes, comment on this post or give Illinois Eye Center a call today at (309) 243-2400.
