Winter weather puts different stresses on your eyes than summer sun. Here’s how to respond.
With colder weather comes a whole new set of challenges in your day-to-day routine—including when it comes to keeping your eyes healthy. The dry air, wind, and debris that become common in winter can combine to leave your eyes feeling gritty and sore, or even lead to risky infections.
But irritated winter eyes aren’t inevitable. There are steps you can take to boost your eyes’ natural defenses against wintry conditions, and keep your vision protected as you navigate—or even celebrate—the arrival of cold weather. Here’s what you need to know.
The sun’s rays are still a risk—even when it’s cloudy
While the sun may seem like less of a concern in winter, especially in the Midwest, protecting your eyes from ultraviolet (UV) rays is still a priority. UV rays are present during the day even when it’s cloudy, while snow on the ground can bounce bright light back into your eyes from below, causing more exposure than you might get even on a sunny summer day.
In the short term, too much UV exposure can cause photokeratitis, a painful condition similar to a sunburn on the surface of your eye. Longer term, it can increase your risk of eye diseases like cataracts or cancer. Protect yourself by wearing good-quality, UV-blocking sunglasses when outside, and especially if you’re enjoying snow sports where reflections are high.
Winter is just as drying for your eyes as it is for your skin
Cold winter air is less able to hold moisture, keeping humidity low, and those biting winds help dry out your skin and the surface of your eyes even more. On top of that, indoor heating systems usually dry out the air as well, making it tough to catch a break.
Most of us know the feeling of dry eyes: uncomfortable, gritty, itchy. Without good lubrication, the surface of your eye is at risk for painful scratches, which can become infected and cause permanent damage to your vision. Take steps to keep yourself hydrated this winter by drinking plenty of water, using humidifiers, and talking to your care provider about eye drops if you still feel symptoms of dryness.
Hand washing slows the spread of winter viruses
It’s tempting to rub at the dry or itchy eyes that are common in winter, but it’s important to resist. Winter doesn’t just dry out your eyes or make them watery—it’s also cold and flu season, and your hands can carry those germs and more into your eyes. Infections in the sensitive membranes in and around your eyes are at best uncomfortable, and at worst can cause scarring and damage to your vision. Avoid them by washing your hands well and keeping them away from your face.
Pick up a new palette of your special-occasion eyeshadow
Feel like dressing up for a holiday party? Go ahead, look your best! Just be sure to check your makeup, especially if it’s not something you wear regularly, and replace it if it’s more than a few months old. As it sits in your drawer or cosmetics bag, eye makeup can harbor bacteria that could lead to uncomfortable (and inconvenient) infections.
Be sure to also wash out any brushes or sponges, dry them thoroughly, and consider replacing them as well if they’ve been around for a while. And if you’re fond of glitter in your makeup, apply it carefully and remove it thoroughly—if it gets in your eyes, it can cause discomfort and injury.
Wintry activities mean different eye care needs
The change in seasons also changes a lot about our behaviors. We’re driving in the dark more, spending more time inside, and potentially watching more screens or enjoying different sports. Each of these shifts in behavior can affect your eyes as well.
Our night vision can change as we age, with blurriness and streaks of light increasing. In winter, the sun sets earlier, meaning we spend more of our driving time in the dark. In addition, the sun sits lower in the sky even when it’s up. Be sure to keep sunglasses in the car—and driving glasses, too, if your low-light vision makes them necessary. And if you notice any changes in your night vision since last year, be sure to check in with your care provider.
More time inside can mean more time in dry air, like we talked about above, but it can also mean more exposure to allergens inside your house—which can cause itchy and red eyes—or more time watching screens, which can further dry your eyes. Take breaks from screens regularly to blink, refocus your eyes, and give them a rest, and if you notice allergy symptoms like watery eyes or redness, let your care provider know so that you can come up with a solution together.
Finally, make sure that you’re using the right eye protection for your winter sports: goggles to keep out wind, snow, and debris, and UV shielding to block the glare.
Choose foods that support your eye health
The health of your eyes is intricately connected to the health of your whole body—which means that diet plays an important role in keeping your eyes at their best. In drying winter weather, you can help your eyes to stay lubricated with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These nutrients keep your eyes’ moisture barrier strong and help prevent your corneas from drying out. They’re found in cold-water fish like salmon and tuna, so consider adding some to your winter menus.
A trusted care provider is crucial
Of all the things that you can do to care for your eyes in winter, maybe the most important is to take advantage of your regular eye exams. Together with your care provider, you can build a more complete picture of your current eye health, which will help you identify any changes over time. Catching a developing eye condition early increases your options for treatment and prevention, and can keep your vision at its best for as long as possible.
Whatever winter looks like for you, Heritage connects you with the care you need.
Heritage’s handpicked provider network spans all fifty states, so whether your winters are icy or warm, there’s a Heritage provider nearby to ensure you get the high-quality vision care that’s right for you.
Take the first step in protecting your vision for the long term. Choose a Heritage individual or family plan during this open enrollment season, or if you’re already a Heritage member, find a provider near you today.