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Winter brings cozy sweaters and hot chocolate… but also dry, uncomfortable eyes.
Cold air holds less moisture than warm air. When temperatures drop, the humidity in the air plummets too. Add in indoor heating systems that strip even more moisture from your environment, and your eyes pay the price.
Dry, itchy, burning eyes become an unwelcome winter companion. And if you wear contact lenses, the problem intensifies: dry air pulls moisture from both your eyes and your lenses, leaving them gritty and uncomfortable throughout the day.
Here are five practical tips to keep your eyes comfortable all winter long.
Tip 1: Run a Humidifier Indoors
Indoor heating is a major culprit behind winter dry eye.
Furnaces and space heaters warm your home but strip moisture from the air. A humidifier adds that moisture back, creating a more comfortable environment for your eyes. Place one in your bedroom while you sleep and another in rooms where you spend the most time. Aim for indoor humidity levels between 30% and 50% for optimal eye comfort.
Your eyes will thank you for the extra moisture in the air.
Tip 2: Stay Hydrated
Drinking enough water supports your body’s natural tear production.
When you’re dehydrated, your eyes produce fewer tears – and the tears they do produce may evaporate faster. In winter, it’s easy to forget to drink water because you typically don’t feel as thirsty as you do in summer. But staying hydrated is just as important.
Aim for at least 8 glasses of water a day. Herbal teas and water-rich foods like fruits and vegetables also help keep your body – and your eyes – well-hydrated.
Make hydration a non-negotiable part of your winter routine.
Tip 3: Protect Your Eyes Outdoors
Cold wind and bright winter sun can irritate already-dry eyes.
When you’re outside, wear wraparound sunglasses or protective eyewear to shield your eyes from harsh wind and UV rays. Snow reflects up to 80% of UV light, and combined with cold and dry winter air, can strain your eyes and worsen dryness. Quality sunglasses reduce glare and create a barrier against cold, dry air. Choose glasses that fit snugly to block wind from all angles.
Your eyes need protection from winter’s elements just as much as your skin does.
Tip 4: Give Your Eyes Screen Breaks
Staring at screens worsens dry eye symptoms, especially in winter.
When you focus on a computer, phone or tablet, you blink less often – about 50% less, in fact. Fewer blinks mean your tear film doesn’t spread evenly across your eyes, leading to dryness and irritation. Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This simple habit gives your eyes a chance to rest and rehydrate.
Small breaks make a big difference in eye comfort.
Tip 5: Consider Vision Correction to Eliminate Contact Lenses
If you wear contacts, winter dry air can make them unbearable.
Contact lenses sit directly on your eye’s surface, and in dry conditions they pull moisture away from your eyes. The result? Gritty, uncomfortable lenses that make it hard to get through the day. You might find yourself constantly reaching for rewetting drops or dealing with blurry vision as your lenses dry out. For many contact lens wearers, winter becomes a season of constant eye discomfort.
There’s a better solution: SoftTouch LASIK or the SMILE Pro procedure at Lake Lazer Eye Center. These advanced vision correction procedures eliminate your need for contact lenses, and the dry eye discomfort that comes with them. Dr. Khambati has helped thousands of patients achieve crisp, clear vision without the daily hassle of contacts or glasses. Both procedures are fast (often completed in minutes), offer a brief recovery period and deliver the visual freedom you want, customized to your eyes.
Not to mention Lake Lazer Eye Center offers flexible payment plans to make vision correction accessible. Imagine waking up on a cold winter morning with clear vision – no fumbling for contacts, no worrying about dry, irritated eyes. Just clear sight, every single day.
Schedule a free consultation with Dr. Khambati to find out if you’re a candidate for SoftTouch LASIK or SMILE Pro. Your eyes—and your winter mornings—will be so much better for it.
Stay Comfortable All Season
Winter doesn’t have to mean uncomfortable eyes.
With a humidifier running, plenty of water, protective eyewear, regular screen breaks and potentially vision correction to eliminate contact lenses, you can keep your eyes feeling great all season long. Small changes add up to big relief… and if dry air and contact lenses have been making winter miserable, it might be time to explore a more permanent solution.
Take care of your eyes this winter. They’re working hard for you every single day.
Lake Lazer Eye Center offers up-front pricing and convenient, affordable payment plans for SoftTouch LASIK and the SMILE Pro procedure. Dr. Khambati has helped thousands of people from all over the world escape the restrictions of glasses and contacts. In the event that you’re not a candidate for vision correction, we’ll assist you with a contact lens evaluation or a selection of designer and specialty eyewear.
