While to some winter and all of its snowy glory can produce something of a winter wonderland, to others the season brings things we’d rather not have to deal with… cold feet, frozen fingers, runny noses, and… dry eyes! Yes, in the midst of all that is bothering us when the temperatures hit record lows, dry eye might not be the first ailment we blame on the weather.
However, dry eye is real, and often caused by the hot, dry air movement from heaters and hot air furnaces which cause tears to evaporate quickly. The low temperature outside adds to the problem.
Combating dry eye in the winter is possible with some simple solutions.
1. A humidifier in the central heating system can help. But, be sure to clean it often to remove bacteria and other organisms that may grow in water reservoirs.
2. Place a humidifier in your home or office.
3. Drink plenty of water throughout the day- at least 8 glasses.
4. Stay away from hot vents.
5. Talk to your eye care professional about incorporating artificial tears or other remedies to help with dry eye symptoms.
If you think you may be suffering from dry eye, call Metro Eye today. We’ll help you take at least one thing off your list of winter complaints!