When temperatures start to plummet and those chilly winter winds come rushing through the trees, the first thing people do is layer on the fleece and keep themselves warm. While this might seem like the ultimate way to protect your body from the cold, did you know that simply slapping on layers of sweaters might not be enough to completely shield you from the risks of that chilly wintertime breeze?
What many people fail to realize is that our skin isn’t the only thing that needs protecting during winter. Leaving our eyes without a shield against the sudden seasonal changes could dry them out and cause irritation. Itchy, dry eyes can be very frustrating, but it could become borderline dangerous when combined with the hazardous wintertime environment. Make sure your vision is in the best possible condition when the temperature starts to drop with these three easy tips and tricks.
Keep them Moist
It’s easier for eyes to dry out when it’s cold than when it’s hot. This is because cold air tends to have less moisture in it as the low temperatures won’t cause any humidity. The solution is to keep a bottle of over-the-counter eye drops in your pocket and applying whenever it’s necessary. This will keep your eyes moist and free of that annoying itchy feeling no matter how cold it gets. You can also speak with optometrist about prescription eye drops.
Wear Protective Eyewear
During the winter, it becomes doubly likely for the sun to damage your eyes. Snow can work as a catalyst for ultraviolet rays to travel and damage eyes because the white environment functions as a mirror that reflects the harmful rays. By opting to wear protective eye wear or prescription sunglasses that offers UV protection, you can effectively shield your delicate eyes from the dangers of UV rays.
Goggles are Your Friend
When it’s cold outside, you can expect there to be more debris, dirt, and particles in the air. While it’s only normal for people to want to have fun in the snow, the dangers of having eyes damaged by these excess particles are very real. To make sure that your eyes are kept free from debris, make sure you wear protective goggles before you engage in any sports or activities in the snow like skiing, snowboarding, or tobogganing.
Our eyes are very delicate and should be cared for with the highest level of concern. Protect your eyes this coming winter with these simple tips and tricks!