5 eye care tips for winter
Different seasons call for different approaches to caring for your eyes. If you want to keep these important organs comfortable and your vision in good condition this winter, simply follow these five easy-to-implement tips.
1. Windproof your peepers
If your eyes are exposed to cold, harsh winds, the protective coating that covers them – known as the tear film – can evaporate, causing dryness and irritation. You can prevent this from happening by wearing a brimmed hat or a hood. You should also remember that sunglasses aren’t just for summer – wearing wraparounds can help to keep gusts and debris from harming your eyes.
2. Beware the winter sun
On the subject of sunglasses, you should know that these handy tinted spectacles can serve their original purpose in the cold season too. The fact is, it doesn’t need to be warm outside for the sun to damage your eyes. It’s particularly important to wear shades in snowy conditions as snow can bounce more UV light into your eyes. So, whether you’re building a snowman with the kids at home or taking to the Alps for a skiing break, don’t forget to don your sunglasses.
3. Counteract central heating
As the weather gets cooler, it’s natural to turn to central heating to keep yourself warm. Unfortunately, though, this type of heating can wreak havoc with your eyes as it dries the atmosphere around you, making your eyes drier in the process. You can offset this problem by using a humidifier to add moisture to the air and by using therapeutic eye drops to prevent your eyes from becoming parched. If you wear contacts, ensuring you keep your eyes well moisturised is particularly important as, according to contact lens supplier Feel Good Contacts, if eye drops are not used, contacts can cause dryness and prevent oxygen from getting to the surface of the eyeball.
4. Get serious about cold and flu prevention
Infections of the respiratory system can cause painful, sore and puffy eyes. This is due to inflammation of the membrane that covers the front of your eyes, known as the conjunctiva. To stay well and avoid irritated eyes, it’s especially important to practise good hygiene during the cold and flu season. Wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your eyes and nose. You should also keep your distance from people who are already infected with winter bugs.
5. Share the Christmas spirit, not your makeup
From family gatherings, to work Christmas parties, to friends’ reunions, you might find that your social calendar looks a little packed at this time of year. And what better excuse to get dressed up and look your best than the festive season? In your effort to add a little sparkle to your look, don’t be tempted to share makeup or makeup utensils with someone else, no matter how much you want to try your friend’s fancy eyeliner. If you fall foul of this classic makeup mistake, you could end up contracting a nasty bacterial, fungal or viral infection. So give your mate’s mascara a miss if you want to stay free of problems like conjunctivitis or herpes simplex.
These five tips should give your eyes a good chance of seeing the winter through comfortably. To ensure they stay well for spring, you might want to book an eye test in the new year.
*Eye photo from Shutterstock.
*This is a collaborative post.
Very good tips! Thanks for sharing
great tips! I definitely don’t like to share eye makeup with others!
I’ve just started a contact lens trial so these tips offer excellent advice.
I need to take better care of my skin in the winter. It is definitely when I tend to let it go a bit. Thanks for this post!
I feel like the heating in Winter dries my eyes a lot. Great tips!
Such great tips! I wear contacts, so eye care is super important for me too. I’ll be needing these in the super cold winters that NY gets!
These are great tips, I am always so surprised by how bright it gets in the winter!
Windproofing is a good idea its horrible when your eyes run.
Great tips. I’m struggling with my eyes at the mo as Oscar isn’t sleeping so I’m SO tired and they feel like I could scratch them out :'( X
Aw no 🙁 I hope they get better soon, have you tried eye drops or something to try and re wet them? x
These are great, I will be honest and say I probably neglect my eyes more than I should. I do try to avoid direct sunlight but never thought about the cold or even flu preventation.
These are great tips. I definitely need to do a better job at making sure my eyes are protected, especially during the winter season.
Our eyes are such an important part of our body. These tips help us keep them safe and healthy.
I really take my eyesight for granted you know. Always said I have “perfect” vision (apparently I have better than 20/20 vision!) because of all the carrots I eat. But I need to remember to take care of them, as much as I take care of my skin!
Great tips… I always wear sunglasses during the day and avoid any harsh chemical on make up products
Whenever I go out of the house, I always bring sunglasses and a hat for my protection. Whether the weather is hot or cold, these items are a great help for protection.
We dont have winter here in the Philippines thats why I cant relate haha but thanks for sharing awesome tips on taking good care of our peepers maybe when we ao abroad and its winter time I can make use of it.
I can’t imagine not having winter – mind you sometimes I wish we didn’t haha!
Great read, I will be carrying my sunglasses in future, I might get some funny looks wearing them in the snow but if it protects my eyes then im winning 🙂
Some very good tips have to say did not think of the eye care over winter.
Great tips – I wear contact lenses so end up with dry tired eyes a lot. Central heating and the wind doesn’t help! Kaz x
Eyewear can really help protect your eyes from the wind as well as the cold. It would prevent any debris or the cold air from going into your eyes.
Didn’t know some of these. I didn’t realize the tear film in your eyes could evaporate, but it totally makes sense.
It’s definitely a great reminder to make sure we’re protected from the sun year round. It’s easy to overlook that when it’s cold out.
Thanks for the tips! It’s that time of year again!
Oh sharing Eye Make-up is a definite no no! I hate it when it’s so cold and windy that my eyes water!
Great tips and I’ll have to remember not to share my makeup. My daughter has a bad habit of coming for lunch on her lunch break and wanting to put on whatever new makeup I’m reviewing at the time to see how she likes it. Eye shadow and mascara are her favorite two.
Great tips here, I seem to have weeping eyes every morning at the moment!
Thanks for all the tips especially #2 because that’s one i tend to overlook.
These are s really great tips. I especially like the t eyewear in winter.. I know my sunnies don’t get much use in winter I usually leave them at home… thanks
Great tips. People forget about the Winter sun and it can get very bright. I keep my sunglasses in my bag at all times.
Great tips – it’s definitely important to remember the sun, even in winter. I still wear sunglasses and sunscreen every day!
I find winter gives me so much trouble with my eyes & glitter is my worse nightmare from Christmas wrapping paper!