Garbig Family Eye Care in Wilder, Kentucky

Absolutely! While there are many factors that contribute to Dry Eye symptoms, such as Age, Eyelid hygiene, Tear chemistry, Digital device use and Contact lens wear, some of the most severe symptoms definitely occur in the Winter.

The plummeting cold temperatures, the blistery winds, the lack of moisture in the air and the dry heat in our homes and cars, cause not only our skin to dry out, but our eyes as well. Common symptoms of Dry Eyes are grittiness, burning, fluctuating and blurred vision, tired eyes and even tearing.

You might think, but wait, my eyes won’t stop watering when I’m outside in the Winter. Very often excess tearing is a reflex that occurs when there aren’t enough tears or when our tears dry up and evaporate too quickly.

The key to managing your Dry Eye is to try to increase the amount of moisture getting to your eyes and try to minimize the amount of tears leaving your eyes.

Here are several modifications that you can make to ensure that your eyes are kept hydrated and to reduce your risk of developing Dry Eye this Winter.

• Drink plenty of water
• Use an oil based eye drop as recommended by your eye doctor
• Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from cold bitter winds
• Use a humidifier in the home. This will add moisture to the indoor air and help prevent fluid evaporation from the eyes
• Eat foods that are rich in vitamin A, C and E containing omega-3 fatty acids
• Ensure you are wearing the very best Contact lenses designed for Dry Eyes
• Discontinue use of overhead fans in your home
• Avoid and redirect air from blowing in your face, such as from car vents and
• blow dryers
• Avoid smoking
• Cut your coffee intake as it acts a diuretic