5 Tips for Preventing Dry Eyes in Colder Temperatures

Your skin isn’t the only thing that gets drier when the temperatures start to drop. Your eyes may also be drying out due to colder temps and inclement weather. During the wintertime, air inside and outdoors tends to be drier. This lack of moisture can cause irritation to your eyes as well as dryness, itching, and discomfort. Those who wear contact lenses or suffer from allergies are especially likely to notice how uncomfortable their eyes can be during these colder months. Here are five tips to avoid eye discomfort and dryness and keep your eyes comfortable all season long.

1. Blink

Blinking may seem simple, but it really does help! Closing your eyes or blinking helps to redistribute moisture and establishes a tear film over the front of your eye. This action helps to improve vision, lubrication, and overall comfort.

2. Using artificial tears or eye drops

Using eye drops or artificial tears can help keep your eyes moistened. With several over-the-counter options including gels, drops, or lubricants it should be easy to find one that helps resolve your minor irritations. We recommend avoiding eye drops that claim to remove redness, however. These eye drops work by temporarily constricting blood vessels and using this too often can cause further irritation.

3. Try not to rub your eyes

Rubbing your eyes may be a habit or natural reflex but try your best to avoid it with dry eyes. Rubbing your eyes can lead to inflammation, affect the quality of tears, and cause painful corneal abrasions.

4. Use humidifiers at home

Boost the humidity in your home by using a humidifier. This helps to ease some of the dryness in the air, which helps your eyes but also your skin as well.

5. Wear sunglasses outdoors

If you only wear sunglasses during the summer, you should consider wearing them all year long. Sunglasses help to protect eyes against wind and damaging UV rays. A simple tip is to keep a pair in your car, coat pocket, or purse to ensure you always have some on you if you end up outdoors on a bright winter day.

We hope these tips help to alleviate some of your dry eye woes this winter. If you deal with dry eyes on a regular basis, consider scheduling a consultation with us today at 508-836-8733 to discuss treatments that help with chronic dry eye.