Dry Eye Tips for the Winter

You may find that your dry eye symptoms often worsen during the winter due to cold weather, lower humidity, and dry indoor heat. Finding ways to manage dry eye symptoms during the winter is vital to your eye and vision health. The following eye care tips from your West Des Moines, IA, optometrist at StylEyes can help counter the ill effects of winter dry eye to ease discomfort.

Boost Your Home’s Humidity Level

Your eyes are more likely to dry when the humidity is low. You can boost the humidity in your home to counter the effects of indoor heat on your eyes by investing in a portable humidifier. Increasing your indoor humidity level helps keep more moisture in your eyes. 

Stay Clear of Direct Heat Indoors

Sitting too close to a heating duct can significantly impact your eyes by blowing heat directly onto your face. This heat will dry your eyes and make it harder to produce tears to moisten them. You should also sit further away from a wood-burning fireplace to prevent smoke from irritating your eyes.

Stay Hydrated

You should drink plenty of water during the winter since the colder weather will dry your eyes faster than in the warmer months. Staying hydrated keeps moisture in your eyes and reduces dry eye symptoms.

Watch Your Screen Time

Spending plenty of time looking at a screen becomes much easier when the cold weather makes going outside less appealing. Too much screen time can aggravate dry eye symptoms. Your eye doctor near you recommends limiting screen time by taking breaks and frequently blinking when using your digital screen.

Protect Your Eyes When Going Outside

You should wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from cold winds and sun when outdoors. Your optometry specialist can help you find eyewear to protect your eyes during the winter.

See Your West Des Moines, IA, Optometrist for Dry Eye Treatment

Dealing with dry eye symptoms during the winter can be frustrating, so contact your optometry specialist at StylEyes in West Des Moines, IA, to get the eye care you need to protect your eyes and vision. Call us and schedule an appointment with our eye doctor at (515) 225-6447.