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Say Goodbye to Winter Dry Eyes
Posted by: Eye Center of St Augustine in Eye Health
As we enter the winter season, it’s vital to understand the widespread issue of dry eyes. Cold, harsh winter winds, dry outdoor air, and indoor heating all contribute to this condition. These abrupt atmospheric changes lead to moisture evaporation inside your eyes, as your tear glands struggle to produce fluid quickly enough to maintain the necessary liquid coating for eye hydration.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, approximately 3.2 million women and 1.7 million men over 50 suffer from chronic dry eyes.
Keeping Your Eyes Healthy During The Winter Season
You should wash your hands frequently to eliminate germs that will make you sick. For your eye health, what should you do if you have to deal with itchy, dry, irritated eyes? The key is to increase the moisture in your eyes and restrict the water from leaving your eyes. While it is difficult to avoid dry eyes altogether during the winter months, there are several steps you can take to prevent them from getting worse. Minimize Dry Eyes This Winter and Reduce Discomfort With These Simple Tips:
- Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from cold wind and excess light.
- Blinking regularly.
- Artificial tears.
- Use a humidifier.
- Add Omega-3 fatty acids or fish oil supplements to your diet.
- Stay hydrated, and drink plenty of fluids.
If the condition worsens, remember that professional help is just a call away. Contact us to schedule your appointment. We can evaluate dry eye if these tips don’t help alleviate your symptoms. You may have a prevalent but chronic and progressive condition called Meibomian Gland Dysfunction or MGD. MGD occurs when there is a compromise to the function or structure of the meibomian glands in the eyelids that produce the protective oily layer of the tear film. These glands can become blocked over time and no longer produce the oils needed for healthy tears. This blockage results in rapid evaporation of your tears, leading to irritation, discomfort, and, if not treated, gland dropout. Your eye doctor can perform a series of evaluations to determine if you have MGD.
We want our patients to have a safe and fantastic winter, and part of that is knowing you are empowered with eye care knowledge about winter dry eyes and tips to help reduce discomfort.
Keep those eyes healthy and safe during this winter season!
