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.