Winterize your Eyes
As winter continues to drag on, we are probably all more than aware of the effects the dark, cold winter months have on our health. We know that shorter days can influence our mood, and that the cold dry air can dry out our skin. What we don’t often think about is how the winter months can affect our eyes. Luckily there are a few easy things we can do to help keep our eyes comfortable and healthy throughout the winter months.
Just like our skin, the dry air and use of heating can suck the moisture out of our eyes. This can cause eyes to feel dry or to water excessively to compensate for the lack of moisture. Watery eyes are also exasperated by changes in temperature, like when going from the toasty house to the frigid tundra outside. To prevent eyes from drying out and to reduce wateriness it is important to maintain a healthy tear film. An easy thing to add into your winter routine is a warm compress in the evenings. Warm compresses help to keep the oil glands in our eyelids flowing properly, and these oils are what help to hold hydration to the surface of the eye and stabilize the tear film. A stable tear film is less likely to evaporate, making eyes feel more hydrated and less prone to watering. Warm compresses will also help resolve and prevent styes. The best way to do a warm compress is with a microwavable eye mask that provides a warm moist heat that lasts for the recommended 5 to 10 minutes of compress time. These masks are available for purchase in the office. People without microwaves can use a hot washcloth, though it will need to be reheated to get the necessary 5 to 10 minutes of compress time. It is also important to keep lids clean to remove any debris that could affect the opening of the oil glands. A mild soap and gently circular motions along the lash line is all it takes to keep the lids clean. Specific formulations of lid wash work best, as they are specially formulated for use around the eyes and are available in the office.
Eye drops are also a great option for those days when you need that extra boost of hydration. With so many eye drops available, choosing the right one can seem like a daunting task. A good rule of thumb is to look for a drop that focuses on hydration, and to avoid drops that promise to reduce redness as these drops can potentially cause more irritation. It is also important to consider whether a drop is preserved or not. Preservative free drops can be used as many times a day as needed, whereas those with preservatives should be used no more than 4 times a day, any more than that and the preservative can cause irritation. When in doubt it is best to choose a preservative free drop, a couple good options are iDrop Pur and Thealoz Duo, both of which provide gentle lasting hydration free from potentially irritating ingredients.
It is also important to remember to wear sunglasses, even in the dreary winter months. UV exposure and the potential for damage is still high in the winter, especially when you consider the magnifying effect of UV rays bouncing off snow. A good quality pair of well fitting sunglasses will shield your eyes from harmful UV rays, help prevent wrinkles around the eyes, and help reduce watery eyes caused by cold winds. And don’t forget that UV exposure is higher at higher altitudes, so if you’re out hitting the slopes remember to pack your goggles. If you want to know more about sunglasses and UV protection check out our earlier blog post all about sunglasses.
Winter presents its own unique challenges to our eye health. Luckily a few easy additions to our winter routine is often all it takes to keep our eyes healthy and comfortable. If you’re struggling with ocular discomfort or have any concerns we’re happy to have you in for an appointment to answer any questions. Stay warm!
