Winter can be rough for a lot of different reasons, ranging from temperatures that chill you to the bone to the snow and ice covering the roads outside. But one aspect of winter that you might not think about too often is what this season can do to your eyes. Cold weather, and all that comes with it, could lead to a situation that is unhealthy. Here's how to stay on top of your eye care while you wait for Old Man Winter to go away.

Make Liberal Use of Eye Drops

The cold winter air is arguably drier than the air is during any other time of year. If you spend a lot of time outdoors, your eyes will begin to feel that dryness eventually. Keep your eyes properly moisturized and healthy by carrying some eye drops with you in your purse or in the glove compartment of your car. If the dryness continues or seems worse than usual, your local eye doctor may be able to get you some stronger prescription-strength drops.

The Sun is Still Out There and So Are Its UV Rays

For one reason or another, a lot of people tend to associate wearing sunglasses with the summertime. But it's not like the sun just vanishes around Halloween and goes away until the following spring. If you are spending time outdoors in the winter, the sun will still be shining down on you (and your eyes) even if you can't really "feel" it like you can in the summer. This means the sun's UV rays will still be beaming down on you. You probably don't need sunscreen as most of your body will be covered in winter clothes, but you can still choose to shield your eyes from the sun with a good pair of sunglasses.

Don't Sit on Top of the Heater

We mentioned before how winter air can make your eyes dry. Well, if the cold air has you seeking shelter indoors, make sure you aren't sitting right on top of the heater or you're going to have the same problem. Yes, having a heat vent or standalone heating device nearby can make you feel toasty and comfortable, but prolonged exposure to this direct heat will actually dry out your eyes in the way that the cold air does. For best results, invest in an indoor humidifier to keep the air more hospitable to you this winter and year-round.

Contact optometrists such as those at Battery Park Vision Associates for more eye care tips.

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