How the Changing Weather Affects Your Eyes
Not many people look forward to the colder weather that winter brings; with fewer hours of daylight and cold, dark nights, it can be a fairly miserable time of year. As well as affecting your mood, the weather can also have several health implications such as painful joints and a lot of colds and flu start to circulate more when the temperature drops.
Another weather-related issue that people have to contend with is the effect that the weather has on eye health, so it is important to look out for signs of eye problems and know how to keep your eyes protected throughout the cold weather. The most common eye problems to look out for are:
Dry eyes
Dry eyes are a common problem when the weather is colder and windier than usual. The other factors that can contribute to dry eyes are if you are spending time in a room with a blower heater, or even just turning up the central heating can make your eyes dry. People that already suffer from dry eye will often feel worse symptoms in winter and people who don’t usually have dry eyes could suddenly develop this condition. You can speak to your optometrist to find the best solution for your problem, such as eye drops to give you some relief.
Watery eyes
While some people tend to suffer more from eyes becoming drier in winter, a lot of people can also suffer from their eyes producing more tears due to the cold air and wind. You can protect your eyes by wearing glasses to prevent wind from blowing into your eyes, which should significantly reduce watery eyes. There is a possibility that watery eyes can be a symptom of an infection or a blocked tear duct, so if you have a persistent problem with watery eyes, it is a good idea to get your eyes checked at your local opticians.
Light sensitivity
In winter, the sun is lower in the sky which can mean that you have greater sensitivity to the sun in your eyes, especially when driving. You should take your sunglasses in the car with you so that you can protect your eyes from UV rays. Make sure that your sunglasses are good quality ones with 100% UVA and UVB protection. Polarised lenses can reduce the glare associated with Winter sun on wet roads.
Red eyes
You might notice some redness to the eyes during the cold weather and this could be caused by several factors such as dry eye or seasonal allergies. You can try to reduce inflammation by bathing your eyes with a cool facecloth or see your eye specialist for advice.
It is so important to look after your eyes this winter to avoid unnecessary discomfort, so you can book an appointment at your local Harrold Opticians for advice on protecting your eyes throughout the cold weather.
