Winter Eye Health

Sure it’s not yet winter, but we can all feel the chill in the air well enough. We see the light fading in the afternoon, and, yes, those rainstorms are more intense and have a real bite. Winter is just around the corner, and it’s time to consider your eye health as the seasonal transition begins. Here are some of the ways winter can affect the health of your eyes, along with some tips to aid in prevention.

It’s getting darker a lot earlier these days! Be sure to get outside when it is light and get that natural vitamin D! Image Courtesy: Envato Elements

The Changing Sun

Many people think they don’t need sunglasses in the winter. Of course, sunglasses are needed year-round, and without question, winter brings many “strong sun” challenges. Snow and ice are highly reflective, which can allow the sun’s rays to get to your eyes from below as well as above (making for double exposure). Further, with the sun lower in the sky during winter, the sun’s light can be dazzling. While pretty, a dazzling, bright sun can be hard on the eyes and particularly challenging when driving. We've all been “blinded by the sun” after a fresh rainstorm.

The winter sun can hit your eyes from above and below, reflecting off of snow, ice, and wet pavement. Be sure to wear your sunglasses and consider anti-reflection lenses. Image Courtesy: Envato Elements

If you wear glasses, one way to battle the bright, reflective sun in the winter is by using an anti-reflection coating on your lenses. Anti-reflection lenses are particularly useful in reducing the sun's glare while driving. So, more than a health issue, where the strain on the eyes can be reduced, cutting glare while doing things such as driving is a clear safety issue.

The Lighting of Winter

There is less sunlight in winter overall. With an increase in people working from home this winter due to the ongoing effects of COVID-19, having proper lighting is essential. We see better in brighter light (vs. dim), and you will likely need to wear your glasses more in dim light. Thus, we recommend:

  • Orienting your workspace or desk near a window to pick up natural sunlight. This is particularly helpful if you’re reading a book, magazine, or other text.

  • Spending time outside is important. There have been studies that support the notion that encouraging kids (in particular) to spend time outdoors may reduce the development and onset of myopia (nearsightedness). Further, time outside in the natural sunlight is key to elevating our moods. We need that natural, Vitamin D-inducing exposure.

An Uptick in Screentime

No doubt, the winter weather will push many indoors and in front of the screen. Heck, I will admit that I’ve been binging a lot more on Hulu since the rains recently started. And while there isn’t any objective evidence to suggest that increased screen time damages your vision, you may indeed experience eye strain when looking at a computer monitor for more extended periods of time. Thus, to reduce eye strain, we recommend:

  • Giving your eyes a “focusing break” by looking at something twenty feet away, for twenty seconds, every twenty minutes. 20-20-20…it’s easy to remember.

  • Placing your computer monitor approximately an arm’s length from your eyes. If you find this too far, you can always increase the size of your characters (zoom in) to accommodate.

  • Eliminate any distracting reflections that may be on your monitor screen.

  • Don’t forget to blink! By consciously remembering to blink, we fuel the production of moisture in our eyes. Focusing on a monitor screen can cause us to blink less, which can make our eyes dry and less comfortable.

An uptick in screen time can be expected in the winter. Just be sure to blink, as staring at a TV or monitor screen for long periods can make us less likely to blink, which causes our eyes to dry out. Image Courtesy: Envato Elements

Dry Eyes

So let’s talk more about “dry eyes.” We’ve already discussed how focusing on a screen or monitor can make us blink less, causing our eyes to dry out. Yet there is another, particularly drying aspect that goes hand-in-hand with winter: central heating. Indeed, having the heat on dries out the environment inside your home and can make your eyes far less comfortable. Thus, we suggest:

  • Open the windows in your home, even for just a few minutes. While this may cost you a bit in extra heating, this blast of fresh air can bring in a bit of needed moisture and cut that stale, indoor feeling.

  • Lower the temperature in your house if possible. The hotter you have your home, the drier the air. Wearing proper clothing for general warmth, and keeping the thermostat down a bit, can not only keep up interior moisture levels to help your eyes, but it can also reduce your heat bill.

  • If opening the windows is a no-go, or if you want a more robust solution for keeping moisture in the air, using a humidifier can do wonders. Short of buying a humidifier, you can also place a bowl of water near a radiator to raise interior humidity. Just don’t forget to refill the bowl!

  • Finally, using moisturizing eye ointments or drops from your optometrist or pharmacist is a great way to, well, keep your eyes moist. For me? These eye drops are critical to reducing headaches and keeping my eyes comfortable and non-itchy.

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Well, as winter kicks in, we’ve got plenty to think about. And when it comes to our eyes, they shouldn’t be forgotten. Hopefully, the above list of tips and tricks can assist you in your winter eye health and keep things clear and comfortable throughout the long winter season.





Dan Meyers