As winter approaches, dry and uncomfortable eyes become a concern for many people. If you can relate to that concern, use these effective strategies to avoid optical discomfort throughout the winter months.
Managing Glare
Glare can be a problem at all times of the year, caused by sunshine reflected from vehicles and other shiny surfaces. Snow on the ground can make the problem worse because it's highly reflective—and sometimes it's everywhere. Snow glare is especially troublesome if it's developed a sheen due to thawing and refreezing or from being covered in sleet.
Prescription Sunglasses
High-quality sunglasses can prevent eyestrain due to glare. If you already wear prescription eyeglasses, consult an optometrist about getting a pair of prescription sunglasses, too. Carry them in your car's glove box for easy access or keep them in your purse whenever you go out.
Over-the-Counter Sunglasses
If you don't wear prescription eyeglasses, choose over-the-counter sunglasses with polarized lenses. Polarized lenses filter the sunlight that reflects off shiny surfaces. Try on mirrored lenses as well as lenses of different colors. Do your shopping on a sunny day and look out of a window to see which product appears to work best for you.
Preventing and Relieving Dry Eyes
Sunglasses
Wearing your sunglasses when you're outdoors will also help prevent dry eyes to a certain extent since they'll shield your eyes from the cold wind. This is especially important if you wear contact lenses, which contribute to problems with dry eyes.
Artificial Tears
However, winter air tends to be dry even when there's no wind. Apply artificial tears when your eyes start to feel a bit gritty so they stay lubricated. Avoid products designed to resolve bloodshot eyes since their main effect is to constrict blood vessels. An optometrist can recommend the best products or write you a prescription for a higher-quality solution if you don't have much luck with over-the-counter items.
Humidifier
Add moisture to your home with a portable humidifier if the humidity levels are too low. This is especially common when running forced-air furnace systems. You can determine the humidity level with an inexpensive hygrometer, but assume the air is too dry if you're getting static electricity shocks.
Water Intake
In addition, add moisture to your body by drinking plenty of water every day. That replaces some of your body's normal exterior moisture that evaporates due to dry air.
Punctal Plugs
If you have dry eyes all year round, talk with an optometrist about semi-permanent and permanent punctal plugs. These tiny devices fit into the tear ducts and prevent tears from draining away too quickly.
If you'd like further information or advice, speak with a representative from an establishment like Vision Eyeland Super Optical LLC.
Share16 November 2015
Vision problems can be sneaky. When my daughter started having trouble in school, nobody thought that the problem could be with her vision. She wasn't complaining about not being able to see ; she was acting out instead. Plus, she could read the eye chart. It took a lot of trial and error to realize that while she could see, her eyes weren't working together correctly. She needed vision therapy to get herself back on track. I started this blog to share information with other concerned parents about how vision affects learning. Don't let a vision problem sneak by you and impact your child's education.