As winter approaches, we can experience frigid air outside and warm air inside. On top of this, the air is usually drier in the winter. All of this can go a long way toward drying out our eyes. If you’re among the 16 million Americans who suffer from dry eye disease, the winter months can be particularly uncomfortable.
In this blog, the team of doctors at Tayani Institute, with 10 state-of-the-art locations throughout Southern California, discuss why winter can be troubling if you have dry eyes and what you can do about it.
Keeping your eyes from drying out
Typically, when winter comes, the air outside is drier than at other times of the year. And when we fire up the heaters inside, we can make the air even drier. When there isn’t much humidity outside or inside, the moisture in our eyes can evaporate at a quicker rate than normal. So what do you do? Here are some steps you can take to keep as much moisture in your eyes as possible.
Add moisture to the air
Although you can’t control the humidity outside, you can help your indoor environment by running a humidifier to add moisture to the air. Since tear production is lower when you’re sleeping, running a humidifier in the bedroom can be particularly helpful.
Prevent air from directly blowing in your eyes
Positioning heater vents away from your face can help your eyes retain moisture. It may be tempting to blow warm air directly into your face, but this will just zap moisture from your eyes.
Furthermore, keep in mind that hairdryers can dry out your eyes as well. Turn your head or keep your eyes closed when drying hair around your face.
Stay hydrated
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Keeping a good level of fluid in your eyes is crucial to flushing out impurities.
Take eye breaks
Give your eyes breaks throughout the day. If you spend your workdays in front of a computer screen, remember to take short breaks to blink, close your eyes, and look away for a little while.
These tactics can help keep your eyes from getting too dry, but if you find they’re not enough, make an appointment with the team at Tayani Institute. They can evaluate your condition and develop a plan to keep your eyes healthy and comfortable all year long. To learn more, book an appointment online or over the phone today.