3 Ways to Protect Your Eyes This Winter

Winter is here! And with it, our eyes need a little more TLC. With more time spent indoors, and the reliance on heating to keep us warm, our eyes can suffer during winter. But we’ve got you covered with the three main things to be mindful of this season and how you can protect and care for your eyes during these colder months.

1. Less outdoor time

We get it – the colder weather and shorter days basically force us to stay in. While Netflix binges and addictive games make it even easier to choose the indoors. But remember to have a break from screens, especially if you are in front of a computer all day. Why not also try the super effective 20:20:20 rule as detailed in our eye strain post.

Try to get outdoors as much as you can during winter, especially to soak up some Vitamin D. Your whole body, including your eyes will benefit from this crucial Vitamin D. Not to mention it helps keep the winter blues away.

2. Dry eyes

This frustrating condition tends to get worse in Winter. But even if you don’t typically suffer from this condition, our heat pumps set to strong high temperatures mean anyone could start to experience the uncomfortable feeling of dry eye which is caused by a major lack of sufficient lubrication and moisture on the surface of the eye. Here are some quick easy steps to help alleviate dry eyes this winter:

• We tend to put indoor heating on full blast during winter, but to ease the symptoms of dry eyes, try to lower the temperature and fan strength in rooms when possible. Nothing arctically cold, but at least something comfortable that won’t dry your eyes out too much.
• When we focus on a task for a long period of time, especially one on our screens we blink less! Blinking is vital in helping to moisten the eyes, so if you feel your eyes are drying out make a conscious effort to blink a bit more.
• Be sure to use lubricating drops for almost instant relief. There are a range of great options available over the counter at any pharmacy or online. Your pharmacist will be able to suggest the best for you.

3. Winter sun risks

Sounds like a paradox most days, but make no mistake, winter sun protection is just as important as it is in the summer. Snow, ice and wet roads are very reflective, causing the sun’s UV rays to reach your eyes from ground level as well as from above. Long-term exposure to UV rays, whether in summer or winter can cause conditions such as Pterygium. Pterygium is a conjunctival tissue growth, that spreads across the surface of the eye. It can extend from the nasal side of the eye over the cornea which can lead to blurred vision and even astigmatism. Protection from winter sun is also vital in ensuring you don’t damage your eye’s retina or lens of the eye. Damage to these areas can increase your chances of developing conditions such as age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.

So be sure to invest in some good quality sunglasses or goggles if you intend to hit the snow! A sure way to determine that your pair of glasses and goggles are high quality, is by looking for the CE mark and the safety standard: BS EN ISO 12312-1-2013. We love Smith Optics’wide range of goggles and glasses, available at Torpedo7 all year round.

We want your eye health to be a priority all year long
With changes in the season, it is important to ensure you are monitoring and optimising the health of your eyes, to ensure you get the best out of life.

So why not book yourself in for a general eye-check if you haven’t had one for a while?

If you have any questions about how to protect your vision this season, please get in touch on 0800 99 2020!