Dry eye may seem like a minor issue, but if you struggle with it, you know it can be terribly uncomfortable. Unfortunately, this common eye condition often worsens in the winter, leading to painful, red, teary eyes.
Read on to learn more about dry eye and how to soothe it all winter.
What is Dry Eye?
Dry eye is a condition in which the eyes don’t produce enough tears for adequate lubrication. This makes the eyes feel dry, painful, and/or gritty.
An estimated 20% to 50% of the world’s population suffers from dry eye, making it a prevalent eye condition. It’s most commonly caused by the natural aging process, so many patients develop it later in life.
Dealing With Dry Eye in The Winter
If you experience worsened dry eye symptoms during the winter months, you’re not the only one. Even in Florida, where we experience warm weather all year round, subtle drops in humidity and somewhat lower temperatures can lead to dry eye flares.
The colder the air is, the less moisture it holds. So, lower humidity levels during the winter make the tears that your eyes produce evaporate at a faster rate. This is exacerbated by the fact that people tend to spend more time indoors with dry air from the heater during winter.
So, what can you do to manage your dry eye symptoms this winter effectively? Try these tips:
- Try artificial tear drops. Our favorite is Thera Tears Extra.
- Use artificial tears 3–4 times a day. Use them proactively to keep your eyes from drying, rather than reactively only when your eye feels dry.
- Avoid fans and air vents that blow in your face’s direction. This makes your tears evaporate too quickly.
- Visit your eye doctor for even better dry eye treatment plans.
At The Eye Clinic of Florida, we’re committed to getting to the root of dry eye symptoms so that our patients experience long-lasting symptom relief. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!