Key Takeaways
- Dry eye happens when your tears can’t keep the surface of your eye comfortable.
- Cold outdoor air, indoor heat, wood stoves, and screen time can all make symptoms flare in winter.
- Watery eyes can be a sign of dry eye.
- A humidifier, frequent blinks, warm compresses, and artificial tears can all help at home.
- An eye exam can help identify what’s behind your dryness.
Dry Air & Indoor Heating Can Make Dry Eye Worse
The wood stove is crackling, the furnace is humming, and your eyes feel like they’re full of sand. If winter leaves your eyes stinging and tired, you’re far from alone. Many of our patients at Oceanside Optometry Clinic face similar challenges.
Your eyes often feel worse in winter because cold outdoor air and indoor heating dry out the air around you, while extra screen time means that you blink less. The good news is that a few simple changes at home may help. If your symptoms do stick around, our dry eye care can support your eyes with personalized care.
What Is Dry Eye?
Dry eye happens when your tears can’t keep the surface of your eyes moist and comfortable. Some people notice the condition all year long, while others only feel it in certain seasons.
For many people, winter is when symptoms flare up.
Common Signs of Dry Eye
You might notice one or more of these signs:
- Your eyes burn, sting, feel gritty, or itch.
- Your eyes look red or feel tired.
- Bright light bothers you.
- Your eyes water often.
- Your vision blurs but clears when you blink.
Why Watery Eyes Can Point to Dry Eye
It sounds strange, but watery eyes are a common sign of dry eye. When your eyes feel irritated, they make watery reflex tears to compensate. Unfortunately, reflex tears don’t stay on your eye for long, so they don’t do much to alleviate symptoms.
Why Do Your Eyes Feel Worse in Winter?
Cold, Dry Air Outside
Cold air holds less moisture than warm air. So, for instance, when you head out for a January walk along the water, chilly winds blow dry air onto your eyes. The more you’re exposed to cold air, the more likely it is that your eyes will get dry.
Indoor Heat & Wood Stoves
Furnaces, baseboard heaters, and wood stoves keep you cozy, but they also dry out the air inside your home. This means that, during the winter, the air around you is dryer than in the summer.
Sitting directly in the path of a fan or blowing vent only makes the problem worse.
Screen Time & Fewer Blinks
Shorter days and rainy weather often mean more time indoors, as well as more time on your phone, laptop, tablet, or TV. You blink less while you’re focused on a screen, and blinking is how your eyes lubricate themselves, so long evenings of scrolling can leave your eyes feeling dry and tired.
Simple Ways to Ease Dry Eye at Home
Add Moisture to Your Indoor Air
A few small changes to your home can help your eyes feel more comfortable:
- Run a humidifier while the heat is on.
- Set your thermostat to a milder temperature.
- Move your seat farther from wood stoves and other heat sources.
Blink More & Drink Water
Try to take breaks and blink more often when you’re at your computer. A sticky note on your monitor makes a handy reminder.
Sip water throughout the day, and add cold water fish like tuna, mackerel, and halibut to your meals for extra omega-3s.
Warm Compresses & Eye Drops
Applying a gentle compress to your closed eyes in the evening can help soften blockages in your tear glands, improving your eyes’ ability to stay moist.
Artificial tears add moisture back to your eyes and can help soothe that gritty feeling.
Long-Term Care for Dry Eye
What to Expect
Dry eye often doesn’t go away for good, but it can be managed. The right care plan depends on what’s behind your dryness and how severe it is.
In fact, many people find that a mix of approaches is effective.
Why Regular Care Matters
Untreated dry eye is associated with a higher risk of eye infections. In many cases, regular care helps protect the surface of your eyes. For persistent dry eye, however, your optometrist may recommend prescription eye drops or an in-office treatment to help you feel more comfortable.
When to See an Eye Doctor in Parksville & Nanaimo
If your symptoms stick around despite home care, or if new symptoms appear, it’s a good time to schedule an eye exam. As your eye doctor in Parksville and Nanaimo, our team at Oceanside Optometry Clinic can assess the quality of your tears and recommend treatment and management options that fit your particular situation.
Let’s get you back to enjoying cozy nights by the fire.
