How to Prevent Dry Eyes in Winter? 10 Proven & Easy Tips to Follow!

As the weather gets colder and the air gets drier, you may experience dry eyes. Dry eyes in winter are a common problem that occurs when tear production decreases or tear evaporation increases. Symptoms of dry eyes include burning, itching, redness, and a feeling of having something in your eye.

You know how uncomfortable they can be if you suffer from dry eyes. Luckily, you can do a few things to help relieve the symptoms.

10 Tips on How to Prevent Dry Eyes in Winter

While the weather outside may be frightful, your eyes don’t have to be. Here are 10 tips to help you out:

1. Lubricate Your Eyes With Artificial Tears

Artificial tears in the form of eye drops are a great way to help lubricate your eyes and relieve dryness. You can easily find them OTC at your nearest drug store. They come in various forms, so you can find one that works best for you. You can apply artificial tears 5-6 times a day.

2. Apply Eye Ointments on Inner Eyelid

Eye ointments are another option for lubricating your eyes. They are usually thicker than artificial tears. So they provide longer-lasting relief. You can apply these ointments to the inner eyelid. Eye ointments are also readily available at any drugstore.

3. Use Warm Compresses to Soothe Your Eyes

Warm compresses can help to soothe your eyes and reduce discomfort, inflammation, and redness. It’s a known home remedy for many other types of inflammation and pain. The process is Simple. Just apply a warm, damp cloth to your eyes for a few minutes at a time.

4. Make Efforts to Stay Warm

Your dry eyes are worse in winter because the air outside is drier. To help combat this, try to keep yourself warm. You can do this by wearing more layers or using a close-contact heater. When your entire body is warm, you will feel relief from the dryness in your eyes.

5. Add Moisture to Your Surrounding With the Help of Indoor Humidifiers

The dryness in the air is the primary culprit for causing dry eyes. Indoor humidifiers can help to add moisture to the air, which can help to relieve dry eyes. But remember to clean your humidifiers regularly to avoid spreading bacteria in your home.

6. Drink a Lot of Water & Healthy Fluids

Staying hydrated is vital for overall health. Thus, hydration is also helpful for relieving painful and uncomfortable symptoms of dry eyes. A hydrated body can generate a healthy amount of natural tears in the eyes. Make sure to drink plenty of water and be healthy throughout the day to keep yourself hydrated.

7. Take Vitamins and Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Winter dryness evaporates the natural tears from the eyes and inflames the tear duct simultaneously. If your eyes are healthy, you can easily combat these winter issues. Vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids significantly aid your eye health. Consider taking a supplement if you don’t get enough of these nutrients in your diet.

8. Avoid Drinking Too Much Coffee

It’s not a piece of good news for coffee lovers. But the matter of fact is that coffee is a diuretic. It can contribute to dehydration, which can worsen dry eyes. If you drink coffee, be sure to drink plenty of water to balance the hydration in your body.

Blinking comes naturally to the eyes. It helps to lubricate your eyes. But when you work on screen, you blink less. That leads to dry eyes as a consequence of digital eye strain. So if you work at a computer all day, make a conscious effort to blink more often.

10. Wear Contacts for Less Time

Your contacts can contribute to dry eyes. You can’t function without wearing them if you have them. But you can try to limit the amount of time you wear them. Also, be sure to take them out and clean them regularly.

When Should You Visit an Eye Doctor?

Dry eyes in winter are quite common; this condition generally improves in a few days or with a change in season. But if your symptoms keep getting worse, you must visit an eye doctor.

Author Bio:

Aaron Barriga is the online marketing manager for Insight Vision Center. With a knack for understanding medical procedures and an interest in eye and vision health, Aaron loves to share what he knows and what he learns. He blogs to inform readers about the latest eye care technology and other topics related to eye care, especially LASIK. Aaron loves collecting coasters from the different bars and restaurants he visits during his travels.

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