How Does Cold Weather Affect Your Eyes?

As winter arrives, many people overlook its impact on their eyes. This can lead to increased sensitivity and dry eyes in cold weather. While many people enjoy basking in the winter sunlight, it’s also important to be aware of the potential damage the winter sun can cause. Understanding the effects is important to protect our vision and enjoy winter without discomfort. Here is a list of the most common eye issues that may occur due to cold weather.

Common Eye Issues Due to Cold Weather

Cold Weather and Dry eyes

One of the most prevalent eye issues during cold weather is dry eyes. Cold air is typically dry, which causes natural tears to evaporate faster. This leads to dry, itchy, and irritating eyes. For those already prone to dry eyes, this discomfort can be even worse. It can result in persistent itching, burning sensations, and a gritty feeling. Use lubricating eye drops to keep your eyes comfortable and refreshed to combat dryness.

Redness and Irritation

Exposure to cold wind can cause the tiny blood vessels on the surface of your eyes to constrict. This happens as your body tries to conserve heat, leading to redness and irritation. While eye redness is usually harmless, it can be a cosmetic concern for some individuals. This is a common issue during winter walks or outdoor activities.

Excessive Tearing

Some people experience excess tearing during winter, unlike dry eyes. When cold air hits your eyes, they produce more tears to maintain moisture. This can lead to teary eyes. While it is not harmful, it can affect your vision if not handled properly.

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

A more common eye infection in winter is caused by bacterial infection - conjunctivitis (pink eye). It occurs due to the inflammation of the conjunctiva (transparent membrane that lines the eyelid and eyeball). In this situation, blood vessels in the conjunctiva get irritated and swell up, leading to pink eye.

However, pink eye in winter can also be caused by dirt, smoking, chlorine or allergens. This infection can last from 10 days to two weeks. It is highly recommended to see an ophthalmologist if you have symptoms like excessive watery eyes, redness, or discharge.

Types of Conjunctivitis

Let’s understand the different types of conjunctivitis.

Viral Conjunctivitis

Most cases of conjunctivitis during winter happen due to viral infections such as adenovirus. This virus typically gets active due to the common cold and can spread easily from person to person.

Bacterial Conjunctivitis

Bacterial conjunctivitis is rare, very contagious and easily spread by touch. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), this type of conjunctivitis is more common in children than adults.

Allergic Conjunctivitis

Allergic conjunctivitis is non-contagious. It is a reaction caused by dust, smoke, pollen from plants and trees and animal dander. Certain types of perfume, cosmetics or medications can also trigger eye allergies.

Snow Blindness or Photokeratitis

Snow reflects a significant amount of UV radiation, which can harm your eyes. Snow blindness, or photokeratitis, is a painful condition caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. This often occurs when sunlight reflects off the snow. It can occur during cold, sunny days when people spend a lot of time outdoors without eye protection. Symptoms of snow blindness include extreme sensitivity to light, blurred vision, and a gritty feeling in the eyes. To prevent snow blindness, wear sunglasses with UV protection. You can find UV sunglasses from top brands at great prices at Feel Good Contacts, with superfast delivery.

Contact Lens Discomfort

Contact lens wearers might experience discomfort in cold weather. Lenses often dry out and become uncomfortable because of the lower moisture in the air. It's important to keep your lenses clean and hydrated with the right solution for your lens type.

How to Protect Your Eyes During Winter

Here’s how you can protect your eyes during winter to maintain your eye health.

• Drink plenty of water to keep your body and eyes hydrated.
• Wear UV protection sunglasses to protect your eyes from glare and harmful UV rays.
• Take regular breaks between work, especially in front of screens to reduce eye strain.
• Use lubricating eye drops to relieve dryness due to cold weather.
• Use warm and soft indoor lighting to reduce strain on your eyes.
• Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your eyes to prevent infection.
• Eat foods rich in vitamins A, C, and E to enhance eye health.
• See your optician every year for eye check-ups to avoid discomfort and enhance eye health.

Try Home Remedies

To maintain your eye health, you can try out some home remedies below.

Use a Humidifier

Using a humidifier adds moisture to indoor air. It can be helpful if you mostly use a CPAP machine. You just need to keep it by your bed when you sleep. It comes in small, portable, and central types.

Massage Your Eyelids

Whenever you feel stressed or experience heavy strain on your eye area, an eye massage can help oil in your glands to flow better, it also improves blood circulation in the eyes.

Should You Consult an Eye Care Professional?

Most of the time, eye health in cold weather can be easily prevented with at-home remedies. If eye problems persist, make sure to visit an eye care professional as soon as possible. At Feel Good Contacts, we are all about keeping your eyes happy during these frosty months. Our high-quality eye drops, glasses, and UV sunglasses protect and clean your eyes against biting winds and terrible glare. It adds flair to your winter eye essentials. Enjoy winter while keeping your eyes hydrated, sharp, and clear.

FAQs

Can cold weather affect the eyes?

Yes. Cold weather can dry out your eyes and can potentially cause vision problems.

How can I protect my eyes from cold wind?

To protect your eyes from cold wind, opt for wrap-around style sunglasses that reduce the amount of wind entering the eyes while protecting it from harmful UV rays.

What should I do if I have red or irritated eyes during winter?

Drink enough water, use lubricating eye drops and consult your eye professional if the redness persists over a long period of time.

Are sunglasses necessary in winter?

To protect your eyes from harmful UV rays and prevent serious conditions like photokeratitis, you can wear sunglasses in winter to maintain your eye health.

Disclaimer: The advice in this article is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical care or an in-person check-up. Please check with an eye care professional before purchasing any products. For information on our article review process, please refer to our Editorial Policy.