Winter: Does The Cold Affect The Eyes?

Immersed in one of the strongest cold waves in recent years, which is affecting the vast majority of the national territory, there are many recommendations that come to us to avoid the most common diseases and viruses at this time… but it is less common that they tell us about the care we should take with our eyes, even though they are one of the organs that suffer the most from low temperatures.

We must get ready for winter’s effects because it’s getting super cold year after year. Beyond the typical discomfort caused by viral infections such as the flu or a cold, the winter cold can cause other problems for our health, such as our eyesight.

From the experts in refractive surgery, we explain what are the main factors that can affect our eyes, what damage they can cause and how we can prevent them.

The eyes before the cold

The eyes always remain open to be able to send the information to the brain that it must decode so that we can see. For this reason, they are constantly exposed to external aggressions and inclement weather. The sun, the cold and the wind can affect our eyes.

The eyes have their own protection system. The eyelids, eyelashes, and tears protect the eyes. These, in addition, are covered by the conjunctiva, a membrane that lubricates them and protects them from external aggressions.

When the eyes are exposed to cold they develop a mechanism to protect themselves. It consists of producing excess tears to keep the eyes hydrated and protected. That is why it is common that in winter and in cold places, we begin to tear involuntarily. Although it may be uncomfortable, it is not a problem that needs to be treated.

Sometimes, when in addition to the cold the environment is dry, the opposite effect occurs. Moisture from the conjunctiva evaporates, causing the eye to dry out. As a consequence, stinging, itching and redness of the eye occur. This symptomatology is characteristic of dry eye syndrome.

What factors can damage our eyes in winter?

The eyes are sensitive organs that are very exposed to the outside, so they are very sensitive to any alteration of it.

In winter, temperatures drop and the cold causes the ocular membrane and cornea to dry out, facilitating the appearance of dry eye syndrome. This affects around 10 and 20% of the population, however, its prevalence increases as people age, reaching approximately 75% of the population over 65 years of age.

Other groups prone to dry eye are menopausal, pregnant or taking oral contraceptives, rheumatic patients and people with vitamin A deficiency,

In addition, due to the cold, tear production is reduced, which leaves the eye without lubrication and unprotected against external threats and injuries since tears not only hydrate the ocular surface but also clean it and serve as protection.

Related to this point, we find the fact that in winter, low temperatures are usually related to episodes of wind, which can cause foreign bodies to enter the eyes, causing conjunctivitis.

Finally, the factor that is most often forgotten at this time is the damaging effect of light on our vision.

Despite the fact that the sky may be cloudy, the sun continues to emit its rays, so we cannot be careless. In winter, the power of ultraviolet rays can be more significant, and in the case of snow, the light can be reflected to a greater extent.

How should we protect our eyes in winter?

The eyes, like the skin, suffer from the cold, so they must be protected correctly in winter, both from the sun and the air. We explain why eye care is important during these winter months and we give you some tips to protect them:

• The winter sun: In winter, the sun is lower than in other seasons of the year, which increases exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Overexposure can cause corneal ulcers and macular retinal problems.

• Risk of cataracts and AMD: Excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation causes eye redness, inflammation, and the premature appearance of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD); These are two of the most common eye pathologies in the elderly.

• Increases dry eye syndrome: The air in winter is drier due to the cold, which can irritate the eyes, causing discomfort and excessive tearing.

• Humidity levels: During the winter, the environment is drier due to the use of heating and the fact that windows are closed for longer, which can lead to eye irritation, which leads people to rub their eyes, a practice discouraged by our ophthalmologists due to the risk of infections and eye injuries.

• With the wind, we have a worse vision: In addition to being annoying, the wind dries out the eyes, which makes vision difficult.

• Approved sunglasses: It is advisable to use approved sunglasses also in winter that block the passage of ultraviolet radiation.

• Eye health in the mountains: The atmosphere is thinner and filters less ultraviolet radiation as you go up in altitude, so you must protect your eyes whenever you go up a mountain. Overexposure can cause corneal ulcers and macular retinal problems.

• Precautions in the snow: When practising winter sports we must take extreme eye precautions since snow reflects 80% of sunlight and can cause solar keratitis. For this reason, protection must be used when practising outdoor sports.

• Use a domestic humidifier: When the environment is very dry due to heating and our eye health suffers, the use of a humidifier is advisable.

Simple ways to prevent it

Here we offer you a series of ways in order to improve eye health during these days and avoid the conditions mentioned as much as possible.

Increase blinking: Increasing blinking favours the production of tears in a natural way, which will help us avoid dryness and with it eye injuries.

Increase hydration:  In the event that we are unable to produce enough tears naturally, it is convenient to have artificial tears to preserve moisture in the eye area.

Avoid rubbing the eyes: If the wind, or another agent, causes a foreign body to enter us, we must avoid rubbing, it is best to wash it with physiological saline and try to remove it with the utmost care. If it remains, it is advisable to see a specialist.

Wear sunglasses:  Sunglasses will protect us both from the wind, which causes tears to evaporate quickly and can introduce foreign bodies, and from UV rays since we are in a time of lower sun and increased ultraviolet exposure. If we are in an area with snow, it will allow us to avoid annoying reflections.

Humidifiers in the home:  At a time when the interiors of homes have drier environments and high temperatures due to heating, it is advisable to have humidifiers that can create a healthier and more comfortable environment.

Take care of the diet:  A diet based on fruits, vegetables, and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, can help mitigate dry eye syndrome.

But in cases of presenting symptoms such as redness, inflammation of the eyelids, photosensitivity, headache, excessive tearing, and blurred vision… it is best to immediately consult an ophthalmological specialist who can assess the damage and determine the most appropriate treatment to follow for the patient.

How can we avoid eye damage in the winter?

In winter, we must take care of our eyes in the same way as in all other seasons of the year, but with some specific considerations at this time.

Despite the fact that they may seem out of place or unnecessary, sunglasses are crucial not only when we are in the snow but also during wind gusts or if we will be in the sun. Using them will prevent not only the incidence of ultraviolet rays but also the entry of particles.

On the other hand, the cold also causes us to spend more time indoors and make more use of heating, which can dry out the environment, so we recommend that if you use it, you use a humidifier to clean and humidify the air.

Finally, when there is a decrease in tear production, we recommend blinking more frequently and using artificial tears, avoiding eye drops with corticosteroids.

It is advised that anyone who frequently experiences dry eye take precautions during the winter, when the cold and wind are more severe.

Here are some recommendations for treating dry eye syndrome:

• He is accustomed to blinking frequently and continually while staring at a computer or television for extended periods of time.

• When in windy conditions, try to shield your eyes with sunglasses or by closing your eyes.

• To prevent potential ocular problems like keratitis, strive to use appropriate sunglasses and eyelid sun protection when visiting high mountain places.

• Avoid using corticosteroid eye drops when hydrating your eyes.

• Add foods high in omega 3 to your diet to assist treat dry eye issues as well as your diet.

Whether you have eye problems or present with discomfort, it is essential that you always go to an ophthalmologist to be able to assess the problem and address it properly.

Author Bio

Shantanu Rohatgi manages marketing at JLR Eye Hospital in Kanpur, which is a renowned hospital for providing high-quality care and employing advanced technology. They are actively working to provide high-quality eye care to the rural poor and underprivileged people.