Even though it may be the most wonderful time of the year for winter lovers, the cold months can be frustrating for people with dry eyes. Even for those who don’t normally suffer from dry eyes, the winter months may bring on a temporary problem keeping eyes comfortable and healthy. Here are a few tips from Dr. Davis to help you prevent dry eyes this winter.

Get a Humidifier

The winter is a rough time for both skin and eyes. A humidifier can help with both. Heaters dry out the air, but a humidifier adds moisture back into the air and helps keep skin and eyes from drying out so easily.

Stay Hydrated

It’s no secret drinking water is good for the whole body. But when it comes to dry eyes, even moderate dehydration can affect the eye’s ability to keep itself moist. It’s a vicious cycle in winter because the cold actually makes the body’s thirst mechanism less noticeable, so you may be dehydrated long before you feel thirsty.

Wear Sunglasses

Sunglasses are great for protecting eyes from the sun, but they’re also really helpful in winter for protecting your eyes from blowing wind. The cold air blowing in your eyes can have an extremely drying effect. Keep a pair of sunglasses in your car so you’re less likely to find yourself without a pair when the wind starts picking up.

Avoid Blowing Air

Although your first instinct when you get in your car on a cold day is to crank up the heat, the hot air blowing on your face will make dry eye symptoms worse. Try using the floor vents only, and if your car has a seat warmer, use that to help keep you warm without affecting your eyes.

If you’re still having trouble controlling your dry eye symptoms, call our office today at 817-778-4444.