Winter is a magical time of year, and with stunning firework displays, festive decorations, and breathtaking snowy landscapes, there is more to see and enjoy than any other time of year. However, it can also bring some challenges, especially when it comes to eye health. Dry and itchy eyes are a common problem during the winter months, due particularly to the cold weather and harsh natural light, so explore some valuable insights from our team on how to combat dry eyes in winter.
Reduced Screen Time
Winter is a time when many people find themselves spending more time indoors, avoiding the cold weather and early sunsets. However, this increased indoor time often translates to more screen time, with many of us spending hours in front of our devices watching Christmas classics, finishing our Christmas shopping, or talking to absent loved ones. This prolonged screen exposure can have negative effects on our eyes, leading to dryness, irritation, and strain, which can put a damper on festivities and prevent us from enjoying our time off work and school.
To combat these issues, it’s important to take regular breaks from screens and give our eyes some much-needed rest. This means consciously stepping away from the computer, phone, or television for a few minutes every hour or so. During these breaks, it’s beneficial to engage in activities that don’t involve screens, such as reading a book, doing a puzzle, or simply enjoying a cup of tea, to encourage you to take more frequent breaks and to give your family a reason to join you in leaving their devices for a few minutes. If you would prefer to have a more structured regime to implement over Christmas, then why not use the 20-20-20 rule? This rule suggests that for every 20 minutes spent looking at a screen, we should look away and focus on an object at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This simple exercise helps relax the eye muscles and prevents dryness, and it’s a small but effective way to give our eyes a break and reduce the strain caused by excessive screen time.
As a general rule over Christmas, make sure that you and your family turn down the brightness on screens in the home, particularly ones that children will be using and ones that are used at night. Many screens are set to a default brightness that may be too harsh for our eyes, especially in dimly lit environments such as a cosy winters’ evening, so by lowering the brightness and adjusting the contrast to a comfortable level, we can minimise the strain on our eyes and enjoy our online activities without irritation or pain. So, let’s be mindful of our screen usage and prioritise our eyes this Christmas.
Using Eye Drops
When winter arrives, dry eyes can become a common problem due to seasonal changes like lower indoor humidity, colder outdoor weather, and high winds, and eye drops provide instant relief by lubricating the eyes and reducing dryness. There are various kinds of drops available over-the-counter for infrequent issues that you can use to treat one or two days of dry or sore eyes, but for long-term issues it’s important to consult with your optician, especially if you have pre-existing eye conditions or are using other medications.
When applying eye drops, read the labels carefully each time and bear in mind that if they contain preservatives, applying them more frequently may irritate your eyes rather than help ease your discomfort. In addition to drops, there are additional strategies you can incorporate into your daily routine to care for your vision, including applying warm compresses to your eyes for soothing relief, avoiding hair dryers, incorporating omega-3 fatty acids into your diet, and investing in indoor humidifiers to increase the moisture level in your home.
Investing in Anti-Reflective Lenses
Winter brings beautifully snowy landscapes, but also harsh reflected light and hazardous icy roads, which can pose additional challenges for our driving and our eyes. The reflective nature of snow intensifies glare, making it uncomfortable and potentially dangerous for drivers. However, there are several simple solutions to combat these issues, including investing inrefractive lenses and sunglasses and wearing wrap-around glasses.
Anti reflective lenses work by reducing glare and reflections, preventing harsh light and UV rays from passing through the lens and reaching your eyes. This not only enhances your vision whilst walking or driving during the winter, but also reduces the eye strain and fatigue that can occur as a result of harsh winter glare. Anti reflective lenses are particularly beneficial for driving, as they improve contrast and clarity and make it easier to navigate in challenging weather conditions, whilst wrap-around glasses can provide an extra layer of protection for your eyes against harsh weather conditions and cold temperatures.
At Dominic Tunnell Opticians, we offer a wide range of sunglasses that are suitable for skiing, hiking, mountaineering, and exploring the great outdoors during winter. Our high-quality sunglasses are tailored to your specific prescription, including single vision, bifocal, and varifocal lenses, as well as specialist curved lenses to suit your unique lifestyle needs and winter requirements, so embrace the winter with clear, comfortable vision by scheduling an appointment today.
Scheduling Regular Appointments
As the year comes to an end, be sure to prioritise your eye health by attending your regular eye appointments and scheduling in any necessary exams before the Christmas holidays. Whilst keeping up-to-date with your appointments may seem like a less pressing task than ordering in enough food for all your guests and tidying up the house for the holidays, regular eye check-ups are essential for detecting any potential eye conditions or changes in your vision, as well as addressing any issues before the holidays.
So, don’t wait until the last minute to book your last eye appointment of the year with us, particularly if you are worried about having sore or itchy eyes in winter. Take this opportunity to address any concerns that you may have, including any issues or symptoms that you have developed over the colder months, and our practitioners will conduct thorough eye examinations to address these and check for any signs of dryness, irritation, or additional vision issues. We will also ensure that your prescription is up to date, allowing you to enjoy clear and comfortable vision throughout the winter season, and discuss any bifocals and sunglasses that you may want to invest in ahead of the snowfall.
With our practice-wide commitment to providing excellent eye care, you can trust that you will receive personalised attention and the highest quality service in a welcoming and highly professional environment. If you have any questions, concerns, specific requirements or personal requests, we will be happy to accommodate your needs and guide you through the entire process, ensuring that you have all the information you need to make informed decisions about your vision and eye care.
Avoiding Dry Eyes in Winter
As we enter the final month of the year, make a resolution to prioritise your eye health and start the new year with optimal vision. Your eyes are precious, and taking care of them should be a top priority that you share with our dedicated and experienced team, in order to fully enjoy the beauty of the winter season and all the unforgettable moments next year will bring.
Trust Dominic Tunnell Opticians to provide you with the comprehensive eye care you deserve and the advice you need to avoid dry eyes in winter by booking your December appointment today.
