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Winter weather can be hard on your body, and particularly your eyes. Fortunately, the eye care professionals at Wing Eyecare in Miamisburg, OH, have some advice for easing dry, irritated eyes during the winter season. Their team is dedicated to serving patients with a number of eye care services, including routine eye exams, treatment of various eye conditions and diseases, and more.

Winter poses many challenges for keeping your eyes healthy and lubricated. A lack of humidity in the winter air can quickly sap whatever moisture is available in your eyes, making it difficult for many people to wear contacts. Also, the sun’s harsh ultraviolet (UV) rays take a toll on your eyes year-round, but even more so when they reflect off of snow and ice.

To help prevent your eyes from drying out in the winter, it’s important to keep them hydrated and protected. One of the best ways to keep your eyes hydrated is to drink plenty of water — even more than usual to counteract winter’s dry conditions. Get your day off to a good start by drinking a tall glass of water when you first wake up and drink several more throughout the day.

To help counteract the winter air’s low humidity, use one or more humidifiers in your home to raise the amount of water vapor in the air — even an open kettle of water or two is better than nothing at all. Experts suggest an indoor humidity level of 45% to 55% for optimal health effects.

eye careIf your eyes continue to feel dry and uncomfortable, eye drops are available without a prescription to help lubricate your eyes. A variety of these artificial tears are on the market, and some may work better for you than others. For recommendations, talk to your pharmacist or eye care professional.

As for eye protection, high-quality sunglasses are your best defense. Select a pair that blocks 100% of both UVA and UVB rays for optimal eye protection. Don’t forget to wear your sunglasses anytime you’re outside — even on gray days, as the sun is still bombarding you with UV rays. If you enjoy snow sports, such as skiing and snowmobiling, consider purchasing a nice pair of goggles.

For more tips on preventing dry eyes and keeping your eyes healthy year-round, talk to an eye doctor at Wing Eyecare. You can visit the practice’s website for more information on their eye care services, or call (937) 247-2000 to talk to a team member directly. You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter.

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