Tips For Managing Dry Eyes During Winter

 

 Tips for managing dry eyes during winter

 Winter can seem like it will never end, especially around this time of year. We all know Canada is known as the great white north and for good reason. Temperatures can drop as low as -50 degrees celsius during some winter months making it difficult to stay outside longer than a few minutes

For people who live with uncomfortable symptoms from dry eyes year-round, they tend to be more of a nuisance during winter. These frigid conditions can also make us more susceptible to colds such as the flu making our eyes feel even more discomfort. It doesn’t need to be terribly freezing to feel the pain of stubborn dry eyes either. Milder climates like some US states can be challenging to deal with during certain winter months.

These hard-to-bear cold days bring us to use a lot of heat in our homes and most of us use traditional methods such as electric baseboard heating. This type of dry heat circulating throughout our cosy nests can make symptoms more unpleasant.

Fortunately, there are many ways to combat dry eyes during the winter. Here are 5 helpful tips we recommend:

 

1. Use a humidifier

 

 A humidifier helps add moisture to dry indoor air. Your bedroom and your office are a great place to use one since this where you spend a lot of your time. Which brand you select, the size of the room you choose to place the humidifier in and electricity costs are all things to consider when purchasing one.

 

2. Schedule breaks from your screen

Adults spend about 10 hours a day in front of a screen. Aside from the potential back & weight problems, sitting in front of a screen all day makes you blink less and can make your eyes more strenuous. Take regular breaks (around each hour) from staring at all screens. Set a reminder on your phone and close your eyes or blink a few times during these breaks. Sometimes just closing your eyes for 10 minutes can help with tear production.

 

3. Warm compresses

 Now is the time to use your heated eye mask more than ever. Don’t be shy to extend the length you usually use it for by an extra 5 or 10 minutes. Our eyes feel more irritated when the weather is more dry so unclogging those oil glands with a little extra heat can feel that much better. Whichever heating eye pads you choose to use, be cautious when using the right temperature as you don’t want to damage your eyelids.

 

4. Wear Glasses

During winter, the sun can glisten off the snow and make it practically impossible to see while driving. It's important to protect your eyes from the sun and wind with sunglasses while outside. Look into purchasing a pair of blue light glasses as well. These can protect you against harmful rays coming from your laptop and phone.

5. Artificial tears

Over the counter eye drops can relieve dry eye symptoms temporarily but be careful not to abuse them. Overuse can literally do the opposite and wash away your natural tears. If you find yourself becoming dependent on them, talk to your doctor about a prescription eye drop.