How to Take Care of Your Eyes During the Winter Season

Winter can be the most wonderful time of the year, but it’s rough on your eyes. But this season brings eye health hurdles for winter athletes, contact lens wearers, and everybody battling the cold. Dry air and harmful UV rays reflect off the snow. Your eyes need extra care during the colder months.

Common Winter Eye Problem

The first step to protecting your eyes is knowing the hazards they face during winter. Here are some of the common ones:

1. Dry Eye Syndrome

Winter is a leading cause of dry eyes. Cold air from outside combined with warm air from inside can drain moisture from your eyes.

Symptoms: Itchy red eyes, gritty feeling, and blurryness can indicate dry eye syndrome.

Tip: Go for preservative-free lubricating eye drops to keep your eyes moist. Eye drops like those from MyPear’s “I-Drop Pur Gel or I-Drop MGD” can help keep your eyes comfortable.

2. Excessive Tearing

Ironically, others have watery eyes in winter. Cold air may elicit reflex tearing, though over-tearing can be uncomfortable.

Tip: Wear goggles or glasses to shield your eyes from the direct blast of cold wind.

3. Sun Sensitivity

UV rays also damage your eyes in winter, especially when sunlight bounces off snow (also called snow blindness). Long-term exposure can lead to temporary vision loss or eye pain.

Tip: Always wear UV-protective sunglasses on sunny or cloudy days. Consider using polarized lenses to reduce glare from snow and ice.

How to Keep Your Eyes Safe During the Winter

Winter brings unique challenges. You need to develop good habits and use the right tools for eye protection. So, here are some more tips:

Use a Humidifier

Heating systems, which cause dry indoor air, can increase eye dryness. A humidifier adds moisture to the air. This helps people who spend hours indoors feel more comfortable.

Stay Hydrated

Staying well hydrated, including for your eyes, will be if you drink lots of water. Adequate hydration may relieve some symptoms of dry eye syndrome and improve general well-being.

Wear the Right Eyewear

Antifog lenses are beneficial in winter, too. They protect your eyes from cold air and wind and prevent condensation upon moving between warm and cold environments.

Considering these tips, you can keep your eyes healthy all winter long by being proactive! Your vision is your most valuable asset—do what is needed to protect it 365 days a year.

Many people don’t know this, but winter UV exposure can be intense. → Snow reflects as much as 80% of UV rays, raising your risk for photokeratitis (a nasty sunburn of the eye) and longer-term damage.

Tip: Use sunglasses with 100 percent UV protection outdoors, even on cloudy days.

4. Eye Infections

Indoor heating leads to dry surroundings, and this is another thing that increases the chances of a new infection. This is especially true for contact lens wearers, whose eyes may already lack natural lubrication.

Tip: Try to treat dry air with a humidifier, and always practice healthy contact lens hygiene.

Practical Insights for Eye Care in Winter

You can take simple steps to protect your eyes from winter’s harsh conditions. Here’s how to treat your eye to the same attention:

1. Use Lubricating Eye Drops

Fight dryness with lubricating eye drops. And preservative-free formulas are a better choice for regular use because they minimize the risk of irritation. Opt for gel drops for extended hydration, particularly if you have dry eyes at night.

2. Wear Sunglasses

Summer may offer sunshine, but winter isn’t without potent UV rays. Buy good sunglasses that block UV rays, and if you’re skiing or snowboarding, be sure to have goggles with UV-filtering lenses.

3. Humidify Indoor Spaces

Heating systems suck moisture out of the air, leaving your eyes dry. A guide recommends staying dry and managing humidity in your home or office. It does not suggest using a humidifier. Put it in your bedroom so you wake up with refreshed eyes.

4. Stay Hydrated

Though drinking less water in winter might be normal, dehydration can compromise your total eye well-being. Drink 8–10 glasses of water regularly to keep your body and especially the eyes well hydrated.

5. Adjust Contact Lens Wear

Contact lenses can worsen dryness. Here are some winter tips for those who wear contact lenses:

• Use contact lens rewetting drops.
• Take frequent breaks from them—wear glasses on especially dry or windy days, for instance.
• Switch to a daily disposable lens to reduce the risk of any infections.

6. Nutritional Support

Your diet affects your eyes. Add omega-3 fatty acids to your diet to help reduce dry eye symptoms. Omega-3 foods such as salmon or omega-3 supplements for eye care. Combine these with a diet of leafy greens and antioxidants to benefit your long-term vision.

When to See a Doctor

Sometimes, we see symptoms that don’t improve even when we follow best practices. If you experience any of the following, seek professional help:

• Ongoing dryness or irritation, even after using eye drops.
• Redness, swelling or drainage suggests an infection.
• Rapid changes in vision or light sensitivity.

Addressing minor issues early can prevent long-term issues down the line. If anything doesn’t feel right, don’t wait to book an appointment with an optometrist.

Protect Your Eyes This Winter

Caring for your eyes in winter is essential. It helps you enjoy the season’s fun and cheer. Good eye care ensures clear and healthy vision during winter and beyond! Whether you are preparing for snowy adventures or cozying up indoors, give your eyes a little extra attention, and they will thank you.

This content has been reviewed by Optometrist Dr. Davinder Sidhu

Want the go-to eye care products to take your winter routine to the next level? Explore MyPear’s shop — everything from preservative-free eye drops to supplements designed for relief from dry eye. Check out their Eye Drops Section today.