How to Protect Your Eyes During Winter

Most of us think to protect our eyes with sunglasses during the summer, but keeping your eyes healthy is important year round. The winter months often cause dry eye and irritation, increased vision sensitivity and common eye infections. Read more below on how to protect your eyes during winter.

Wear Protective Eye Gear

Do you plan on participating in outdoor winter activities? If so, wearing protective eye glasses is a must! Fresh snow has an almost 100% reflection rate, meaning your eyes can be exposed to a significant amount of ultraviolet light. UV rays can damage the surface of your eyes and may require antibiotics for infection treatment. Extensive exposure to UV light is also a major factor in forming cataracts.

Use a Humidifier

Putting a humidifier in your home or office can have many health benefits. Not only can humidifiers prevent the spread of viruses and dry skin, but they can also prevent your eyes from dryness by adding moisture to the air. Heating systems tend to dry interior air which can leave your eyes, nose, and throat itchy and irritated.

Stay Hydrated

It’s no secret that water is the key to staying happy and healthy. Since your eyes are surrounded by fluid, drinking water ensures that your eyes stay lubricated. Symptoms of dehydration can include red eyes, blurry vision, headaches, or dry eyes.

Visit Your Eye Doctor

If you’re tired of having dry, itchy eyes during the winter, schedule a consultation with one of our doctors today. Eye examinations can reveal vision related medical concerns and help detect early warning signs. Our team is here for you!

Attend our FREE Vision Webinar on Tuesday at 7 p.m. CST to learn more from Dr. Ming Wang, Harvard & MIT (MD); PhD.