Now that winter is in full swing, and you probably have the winter coats, hats, and gloves out to ensure that you stay warm and healthy. The cold weather does more than chap your lips and reduces the ability of your body to bounce back after a cold. The cold winter weather can also affect your eyes in some surprising ways.
1. Sensitivity to Light
Cloudy and gray days seem to be the norm during the winter time, but snowfall can brighten more than just your mood. It can also make your eyes more sensitive to light.
In some cases, snow blindness could be responsible for this sensitivity. Be sure to wear sunglasses if you are going to be outdoors for a long time even if you are doing routine things like shoveling snow or taking a walk.
2. Changes in Your Vision
The very low temperatures of winter can be responsible for causing changes in your vision. During periods of extremely low temperatures, you might notice that your vision is blurry or that you have double vision. This is often caused by the constriction of the blood vessels in and around your eyes.
If notice any vision changes, be sure to move to a warmer place as soon as possible. Seek medical attention if your vision hasn’t returned to normal after about 30 minutes.
3. Dryness
You might expect that your skin will become drier during the winter months but did you know that your eyes do too? Just as the low humidity causes your lips to become chapped and your skin to become dry, your eyes can suffer as well.
You can combat this dryness by drinking lots of water and keeping yourself hydrated. Running a humidifier and boosting your intake of omega-3s could help too.
At Riverdale Vision Center, we’re here to protect your vision and the health of your eyes. Contact us today if you have concerns about winter’s effects on your eyes.
