Tips to Keep Your Eyes Healthy during Winters

While many might be unaware of the seasonal threats to our eyes, we must know that winters bring along a few eye problems.

Be it the cold outdoor air or heated indoor air, both have less moisture in them and hence the winter winds may dry our eyes out. Some people might experience lack of tears while some may have excess teary and watery eyes due to cold air, biting winds, or seasonal allergies. Harsh winter conditions can also cause redness and inflammation in the eye area. This can lead to swollen eyelids or discoloration of the eye itself. Eye Sunburn and Snow-blindness can often occur in snowy conditions. Extreme low temperatures may sometimes cause the blood vessels in and around the eyes to constrict, and this can cause vision changes like blurriness and double vision. These are just common eye problems that occur in the winters.

Factors Affecting Our Eyes During Winter

• Dry Air: With temperatures dropping significantly during the winters, the air is unable to hold humidity as it cools down. The dry air dehydrates our eyes leading to loss of essential moisture content that rapidly creates irritation, redness, or itchiness in the eyes.
• Excessive UV Exposure: This happens via direct sunlight and is already known to increase the risk of cataracts as well as skin cancer. In a snowy area, UV exposure due to reflection from snowy surfaces is equally bad both for the skin and eye health.
  Besides the dry air outside, the warm dry air inside can also be equally (if not more) dehydrating and damaging for your eyes.

We need to take good care of our eyes to achieve optimal eye health and follow the Winter Eye Care Tips as mentioned below:

• Regulate Temperature
  We must regulate the indoor temperature in order to minimize the dryness of the air. Blinking our eyes excessively is another effective way since it produces enough lubrication in the form of tears.
• Use Humidifiers
  Using Humidifiers maintains an ample level of moisture in the air to keep our eyes comfortable. We must not linger around heat sources like heaters or radiators.
• Taking Proper Diet
  Regulating diet for proper visual function is one of the best methods to take care of our eyes. Adding fish like Tuna, Mackerel, and Halibut, which are packed with omega-3 based essential fatty acids are considered helpful in retaining moisture in our eyes. We must drink at least 8 glasses of water every day.
• Wear Sunglasses
  When outdoors, we must wear quality sunglasses for protection from UV (ultraviolet) rays since the snow reflects the UV rays. Protective Eyewear also helps in winter sports by protecting you from high-speed winds.
• Maintain Eye Hygiene
  Eye hygiene or keeping our eyes and eyewear clean can prevent several conditions. Avoid rubbing your eyes since some harmful bacteria or viruses can make their way via your hands.

If one notices vision changes while out in the cold, they must move into a warm area. If one experiences teary eyes outdoors, they must wear sunglasses. If one experiences irritation, itchiness, or pain, consult with an ophthalmologist at the earliest.

Sharp Sight Eye Hospitals is a pioneer in eye care for over 20 years, providing international quality clinical service standards. With a team of expert ophthalmologists, we are one of the best Eye Care Centres in Delhi offering treatment for severe eye conditions. It is the Best Eye Hospital in Delhi providing care backed by clinical support & latest technology. Book your appointment today, to seek any eye care treatment. Other than Delhi, we have expanded our reach to various cities in India including Srinagar, Prayagraj, Patna, Asansol, Ranchi, Jhansi & Jammu.