It is well known that the colder months can cause our skin to dry out. With most of the moisture being gone from the air, it commonly gets sucked out of our skin, hair, and even eyes. Having dryness in your eyes can cause strain, discomfort, and irritation during the cold winter months. Here are our tips on how to prevent dry eyes and soothe this discomfort during the winter.
Over-the-Counter Eye Drops
Over-the-counter eye drops can help to lubricate your eyes, offering relief to any irritation. This type of product serves as artificial tears and can be used as many as six times throughout the day. Before using eye drops, you should consult with your doctor to make sure it is the right remedy for you.
Humidifiers
Humidifiers can help to add moisture back into the air during cold and dry winter months. The extra humidity in the air will help your skin and eyes retain moisture, decreasing the amount of dryness you experience. Likewise, it is important to reduce the amount of airflow with harsh vents and fans. These can cause moisture to evaporate from your eyes as air is being circulated. A humidifier can be placed anywhere in a dwelling that may be dryer areas. Common placement areas include the bedroom and the living area.
Avoid Wearing Contact Lenses
Wearing contact lenses in the winter can cause excess dryness on your eyes in colder months. Similar to ceiling fans, cold air can blow across your eyes when outside and cause the moisture to dry up. This will not only make your contact lenses feel extremely uncomfortable, but it will also make your eyes feel extremely irritated. When the contact lenses get dry, they can become hard and uncomfortable. Contact lenses are meant to be moist and malleable and the cold air can take away those key features. If you anticipate going outdoors during the winter months, consider wearing your glasses as a better alternative. If you choose to wear contact lenses, additional protection is always recommended for your eyes when outside, like sunglasses or ski goggles if applicable.
Consume Omega-3 Oils
Omega-3 oils are used for many things to include eye health. Omega-3 oils help the eye’s Meibomian glands function, which is what produces the oily part of tears. Adding omega-3 oils to your diet can decrease the likelihood of dryness in your eyes. You can add these oils to your diet with chia seeds, flax seeds, walnuts, salmon, and tuna. If you need a more convenient way to consume this oil, you can find omega-3 supplements at local stores.
How we can help:
Here at Medical Arts Eye Clinic and Optical, we want to provide you with the best experience possible when seeing to your vision needs. Our team of professional experts and top-quality optical care are here to give you the best experience possible. With over 20 years of experience, we invite you to come experience why we have the best optical shop in Auburn. Contact us today to see how we can help your eyes during the upcoming winter months.