Cold air and harsh winter winds—it’s part of life in Canada. But sometimes winter also seems to cause a dry, irritated feeling in your eyes, like they’re dried out and unprotected. But what causes these feelings?
The dryness you feel during winter is caused by a combination of cold winds, low humidity, and indoor heating systems. These factors strip essential moisture from your eyes and leave them exposed to the outside air. This leads to dryness, irritation, and burning sensations.
What Causes Winter Dry Eyes?
Dry eyes are much more common than most people think. This condition develops when there’s an imbalance in the tear film. When the tear film struggles to protect your eyes, your eyes become dry and easily inflamed.
One common cause of winter dry eyes is environmental changes. The colder months often bring low humidity, meaning that your eyes need to work harder to protect themselves. Meanwhile, indoor areas often need to be heated, which dries out the air even more. While this keeps you warm, heaters and fireplaces lower humidity levels—meaning that your eyes are struggling even more to stay moist.
Then, when outdoors, you’re exposed to cold winds. These winds strip away the existing protective tear film. The moving air can also irritate your eyes, which may eventually lead to inflammation.
All of these factors can strain your eyes and leave them unprotected against the outside air.
That’s is why dry eyes are such a common problem in the winter. Your eyes are constantly fighting to stay hydrated and healthy—especially if you don’t take proper precautions.
Symptoms of Dry Eyes in Winter
Dry eyes are persistent. Some people deal with them constantly, while others only experience them for a few days a year. But it’s not just about a constant dry sensation—dry eyes in the winter often cause:
- Redness and irritation
- Burning sensations
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurred vision
- Excessive tearing
- Feeling like something is in your eye
If these symptoms sound familiar, you’re likely dealing with dry eyes. Fortunately, your optometrist can help.
Can An Optometrist Treat Dry Eyes?
If your dry eyes are interfering with your everyday quality of life, contact your optometrist to discuss something called dry eye therapy. The treatments involved aim to address the underlying cause of your dry eyes.
Your optometrist will assess your tear film, eye health, and vision, and use this information to create a treatment plan. There are several options for dry eye therapy, each with different benefits.
Eye Drops for Dry Eye
Eye drops or artificial tears are the simplest approach to treating dry eyes in the winter. Drops come in both prescription and over-the-counter forms. They’re designed to supplement your natural tear production, which keeps your eyes properly protected.
If you use eye drops for dry eye, you should always follow your optometrist’s advice. Practice proper hygiene and regularly check the expiration date. Expired eye drops can cause irritation, infections, and more.
Eyelid Hygiene for Dry Eye
After your initial examination, your optometrist will look for signs of bacterial buildup and clogged glands. These are common causes of dry eyes, especially in the wintertime.
If your optometrist believes that dry eyes are causing your symptoms, they’ll recommend eyelid hygiene going forward. This helps reduce bacterial buildup from underlying conditions and prevents inflammation around the eyelids.
Utilizing Radio Frequency (RF) for Dry Eye
Sometimes, you’ll need an in-office approach to dry eye therapy. If this is the case, your optometrist may recommend RF. This is a medical device that uses radio waves to heat the oil glands in your eyelids, after which they can be effectively expressed. This helps unclog glands and encourages the production of healthy tears.
During this treatment, you’ll lie in a comfortable chair while your optometrist performs the procedure. It’s completely non-invasive, comfortable, and takes less approximately 20minutes.
Protecting Your Eyes From Winter Dryness
Dry eyes may be common during winter months—but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer through them. You can easily protect your eyes and reduce symptoms with these tips:
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water
- Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air
- Wear sunglasses or protective eyewear when outdoors
- Point any fans away from your face at all times
- Follow a balanced diet rich in nutrients and omega-3 fatty acids
It’s important to be consistent. Your eyes are sensitive, and they’re easily irritated. Making conscious choices to keep them protected is key to preventing irritation and dry eyes in the winter!
Get Help For Wintertime Dry Eyes
Winter doesn’t have to mean putting up with dry eyes. Our team at The Eye Care Centre can help, and it all starts with an appointment. Whether it’s adjusting your environment, adding lubricants, or utilizing in-office treatments like RF, we here to help you find the relief you deserve. Contact our team today and schedule your appointment!
