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The skin and other organs of the body can be negatively impacted by cold weather, but this is especially true of your eyes. For this reason, it's important to practice smart eye care during the colder months of the year. Dry air—both in the outside environment and in heated indoor settings—and excessive UV radiation from the winter sun reflected by snow all have the potential to damage the eyes. Below are some important eye care tips to better safeguard your eyes this winter.

Keep Eyes Moist

During colder months, many people apply lotions and lip moisturizer to keep their skin hydrated and healthy. The same principle should be practiced with your eyes. If you notice your eyes becoming dry, use artificial tears purchased over the counter at your local pharmacy. This simple saline solution can relieve the itchiness and discomfort of dry winter eyes. An eye doctor can recommend or prescribe additional eye drops or treatments if over-the-counter options are not effective. Additionally, use a humidifier in your home to cycle moisture back into the air, and a few houseplants can boost moisture in the air as well.

Don't Forget Sunglasses

While some may automatically associate sunglasses with summertime and the beach, they are just as important in the winter. Sunglasses with UV protection better shield the eyes from the sun and its sometimes blinding reflection in the snow.

Wear Eyeglasses

eye careIf you're used to wearing contact lenses, switch them out for glasses during the colder days of the year. Eyeglasses add an additional layer of eye care and protection between the eyes themselves and cold wind and temperatures. Additionally, because contacts may need to be well lubricated to effectively correct your vision, glasses may be more effective at keeping your vision clear if you’re struggling with eye hydration.

 

If you experience eye issues this winter or at any time of the year, trust the eye doctors at Midwest Eye Center: A Division of TriState Centers for Sight for expert eye care services. Serving patients throughout the Greater Cincinnati Area and Northern Kentucky, they treat a variety of eye-related conditions, including glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration and serve thousands of satisfied patients every year. Call (859) 525-6215 or visit them online to schedule an exam.

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