Dry Eyes in Winter, Prevention and Treatment Tips

Dry eyes that burn and itch during winter is a by-products of the cold winter winds outside and the dry heat inside that stealthily attack our eyes and cause moisture evaporation. Eyes dry out when moisture evaporation is occurring faster than our tear glands can produce fluids to maintain the protective, moist coating around our eyes.

Prevention and treatment for dry eyes involve the same basic thing, moisture. You'll need to amp up the moisture content in your environment and in your eyes to counteract the dry air your eyes are exposed to during the winter.

How To Prevent Dry Eyes In Winter

The simplest way to add moisture to indoor air during the winter is to use a humidifier. The moist air will prevent fluid evaporation from eyes (and skin) and will stop the burning and itching before it starts.

When using a blow dryer on your hair, keep your eyes closed or use moisturizing eye drops in each eye prior to drying and styling your hair.

The amount of coffee you drink can cause dry eyes in winter. Coffee contains a mild diuretic and we often increase our consumption of hot coffee during the winter to help us stay warm. Cutting back on coffee consumption in the winter will help prevent dry eyes.

Place your computer screen at eye level to prevent dry eyes. Looking up causes the natural tear production from your eyes to evaporate faster, leaving you with itchy, dry eyes.

Wear glasses or sunglasses anytime you are outdoors to prevent the cold winter wind from directly hitting your eyes.

Most everyone will know this last way to prevent dry eyes, but it bears repeating-avoid smoke filled rooms.

How To Treat Dry Eyes

Moisture, moisture and more moisture. Keep a bottle of artificial tears nearby and use as often as the product recommends, and especially use the artificial tears before going to bed at night. The applied moisture combined with closed eyes to prevent evaporation will soothe itchy, burning eyes and help your eyes recover during the night.

Give your eyes periodic breaks throughout the day by closing them for five minutes.

If you wear contact lens, a switch to glasses, at least part-time, will help treat and prevent dry eyes.

Avoid rubbing your eyes when they are itching and burning, this will only make bad matters worse. Apply artificial tears and close your eyes for a few minutes instead.