Eye care is important year-round but can fall by the wayside during the busy holiday season. Brush up on winter eye care in this blog from our Calgary eye clinic.
The holiday season is a joyous one, but it’s also full of things to keep on top of buying gifts; travel plans; organizing care for children off school; and more. With all of these things vying for your attention, “practicing good winter eye care” probably doesn’t even make the top 10 of your to-do list.
Fortunately, our Calgary eye doctors are here to help. While we can’t shorten your shopping list, we can distill winter eye care essentials for you. Check out these 3 key points to learn how to protect your eye health this December.
Tip #1:
Dry Eyes Are More Common In Winter, But They Can Be Avoided
Sometimes, dry eye can be caused by internal, natural symptoms, such as your unique physiology (for example, your eyes aren’t producing enough tears for your tear film), or a medication you are taking.
On the other hand, sometimes in winter, dry and irritated eyes are due to your surroundings. For example, going from the chilly outdoors to the sudden, dry, indoor heat of a mall or home can temporarily evaporate the eye’s tear film.
How To Banish Dry Eye Symptoms This Winter
- Humidify your home. Dry heat is a culprit in dry eyes. If you find that the tradeoff for a cozy home is dry, itchy eyes, you may want to invest in a humidifier. Keeping your home’s humidity level between 30 and 55 percent is ideal if you are seeking to avoid discomfort.
- Avoid too much dry heat near your face. While there are days when it’s tempting to cuddle up next to your space heater or to turn your car’s heater up full blast, this can dry out your eyes. Instead, opt for solutions like seat warmers, hot water bottles, heated floors, or electric blankets.
Tip # 2:
You Still Need To Protect Your Eyes Against UV Rays
Winter, especially the holidays, is a great time to spend time outside in the city’s snow-covered wonderland, whether it’s for a short hike or skiing trips to Banff.
However, when you’re enjoying the outdoors, it’s important to remember to use the same sun protection measures as you would in the summer, if not more. This is because UV rays reflect off of the snow and can be very damaging to your eyes.
Our Sun Safety Cheat Sheet
- For outdoor enthusiasts in Calgary, eyeglasses with a UV protected coating are a must. Photochromatic (tint-changing) coating for your eyeglasses is ideal if you dislike having to swap between two pairs.
- Opt for a broad-brimmed hat. It’s easy to find knit toques with a cap-style brim, but if you’re ready to lean into the trend, opt for a wool one for a bohemian vibe.
- At your next eye exam, ask your optometrist about adding UV-resistant coatings to your ski goggles.
Tip #3:
Avoid Sports-Related Eye Injuries
Winter vacation is the perfect time for both organized and casual sports. However, when playing sports, prioritizing eye safety is essential. Eye injuries from sports are a leading cause of blindness in children, and 90% of sports-related eye injuries are completely preventable.
How To Keep Your Eyes Safe When Playing Sports
Always use protective eyeglasses. Whether you’re playing hockey, skiing, or even playing indoor games like basketball, the right eyewear is key. This is especially true for younger kids who don’t yet have highly refined motor skills.
Tip: Our Calgary children’s eye doctors have noted that often, kids might feel awkward or out of place wearing sports goggles, especially if their peers are not.
Allowing your children to choose their own polycarbonate sports eyeglasses at their next eye exam is a great way to get them involved in the process and excited about eye safety.
Check for hazards in any outdoor play areas. This tip is for both the young and young at heart: if you’ll be sledding or playing outdoors, check for anything that could poke or fly into the eye, as well as any tripping or slipping hazards.
If you’ll be having a snowball fight, ensure there are no rocks or ice that could get mixed in with the powder.
Got More Winter Eye Care Questions? Get In Touch!
Taking care of your eyes in cold weather doesn’t have to be hard!: If you have any questions, get in touch with our optometrists and Calgary children’s eye doctors 403-280-7518 or online to book an eye exam today.