Step outside on a winter morning in South Dakota, and the cold air hits your face immediately. You might not think about the fact that the same air is attacking your eyes, stripping away moisture faster than your tear glands can replace it.
The combination of freezing outdoor temperatures and dry indoor heating creates a perfect storm for eye irritation, especially if you already have cornea problems or if you’ve recently had an eye procedure like cataract surgery or laser eye surgery.
Stephen Khachikian, MD, treats patients year-round for eye problems at his practice in Rapid City, South Dakota, and he wants to help you achieve optimal eye health. With temperatures dropping across the state, here are some quick tips to help ensure that your eyes are ready for winter.
Cold air holds almost no moisture. Every gust of wind pulls water away from your eye’s surface, exposing your cornea to harsh elements. Once you’re inside, your heating system can also dry out your eyes.
Running a humidifier in your bedroom and main living areas helps restore some of what heating systems remove. Dr. Khachikian also recommends keeping artificial tears — especially thicker, more hydrating formulations — within reach at all times.
Fresh snow bounces up to 80% of ultraviolet (UV) radiation back toward your face. This means your eyes are hit from above by direct sunlight and from below by reflected rays.
Spend a few hours outside without protection and you risk photokeratitis — essentially a corneal sunburn. The pain shows up hours after exposure. Your eyes turn red, tears stream constantly, and any light source feels unbearable.
Wraparound sunglasses create a barrier against reflected rays that sneak around regular frames. Look for styles that curve close to your face and block 100% of ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. Polarized lenses cut glare from snow and ice, but polarization alone doesn’t protect against UV damage.
Dry conditions pull moisture from your tears and lens material simultaneously. Many contact lens wearers discover their lenses become unbearable during winter afternoons when indoor heating peaks.
Dr. Khachikian recommends keeping an updated pair of eyeglasses accessible so you can switch when discomfort hits. Your office desk, car, and home should all have glasses ready.
That blast of hot air from your car vents or space heater feels good on cold skin, but it destroys the moisture in the air around your eyes. The hotter you run your heating system, the drier the air becomes.
Lower your thermostat a few degrees and add layers instead. Position car vents away from your face so they’re not blowing directly at your eyes. Space heaters should point at your body, not your head.
Now is the perfect time to come in for an eye exam and address any winter-related concerns before they worsen. Call Stephen Khachikian, MD, at 605-203-4256 today or schedule an appointment online to discuss how winter conditions might be affecting your vision and eye health.
