Taking care of your eyes from the cold is as important as taking care of your eyesight in summer. Dry air, low temperature and heating are capable of causing red eyes and dry eyes.
Most people only worry about their eyes in the summer, when the sun’s rays are so intense that they can barely see clearly. But it shouldn’t be the only time of the year to worry about the view. We must also take care of our eyes from the cold in winter.
We are wrong to think that during the fall or winter our eyes do not suffer. In fact, taking care of your eyes during this time can become even more important. Cold, wind, and drier air are factors that trigger dry eyes.
The situation worsens even more if you live in snowy areas or decide to travel to the mountains. Snow reflects ultraviolet rays from sunlight very strongly, which can also damage our eyesight.
It is necessary to take into account all these aspects, since taking care of the eyes can help us avoid many future vision problems. Therefore, in this article we explain a series of tips to protect them from the ravages of the cold.
How can we take care of our eyes from the cold?
As we have already mentioned, there are many aspects of winter that can have a negative effect on our eyes. Although there are fewer hours of daylight and the intensity of the sun’s rays is lower, it is also the perfect time to go to snowy areas.
Snow reflects ultraviolet rays, which can damage our eyesight. In addition, cold air is usually drier and more aggressive with our skin and eyes. However, staying at home is not the ultimate solution, nor is it the recommended type of life. Inside homes, smoke from chimneys is also an irritant, as is the dry environment that heating creates.
Therefore, it is important that we become aware of all these factors and that we begin to take care of our eyes from the cold. First of all, we cannot forget about sunglasses or leave them abandoned until summer. Even less if we go to the snow or high-altitude areas.
This time is also usually characterized by intense hours of study or work. Today, most people spend many hours of the day in front of a screen, be it a computer or television. In these cases, it is recommended to take breaks every hour and look away. You can even do certain muscle relaxation exercises to also correct posture. If you can, the ideal is to spend that rest outdoors, with natural light.
Take care of eyes from dry air
If you are usually in places where they use heating, it is important to insist that the temperature remains around 21 or 23º, without becoming too high. The use of heaters tends to make the environment dry, so it is recommended to use humidifiers in the rooms.
When there is wind, you should also wear sunglasses. This will protect your eyes from dryness and airborne particles. Also, try to blink more often, as it will improve tear production and eye moisture.
Even if these measures are not enough, you can use artificial tears on your eyes. As with skin care, it is recommended to drink plenty of water and include fruits and vegetables in your diet to maintain good body hydration.
Other tips
When your eyes feel itchy, try not to rub or scratch them hard. It is probably a consequence of dryness, and to combat that sensation it is better to use tears or eye drops. Also, try to clean your eyes frequently and remove makeup properly.
However, for any eye problem or discomfort, it is best to consult a doctor or an eye doctor. They can check that it is not a serious pathology. On the other hand, they will recommend the most effective measures to alleviate the situation.