Why some people struggle with blurred vision/vision problems during winter

[Mike 03]

(I've been having this issue so I decided to look it up and here are some things I found).

Before we talk tips, it’s important to understand why winter weather can be so harsh on your eyes. Cold temperatures, dry outdoor air and dry indoor heat all cause the eye to dehydrate and this can lead to symptoms such as pain and swelling, blurred vision, a scratchy or burning sensation, and even teary eyes as your body tries to compensate for the dryness. Furthermore, individuals who spend ample time in snowy conditions are at even greater risk due to damage from sunlight reflected off the snow’s surface.

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1. Wear Sunglasses

If you’re outdoors on a cold, windy day, wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the drying effects of the wind. If you plan to spend hours in the elements skiing, skating or shoveling snow, be sure you wear either sunglasses or goggles to protect your eyes from ultraviolet (UV) light. Exposure to UV light is increased in the winter due to the sun’s reflection on ice or snow. This reflection can cause inflammation of the cornea called keratitis that makes the eyes red, sore and sensitive to light.

2. Drink More Fluids

Staying hydrated is one of the best things you can do to help your body fend off dry eyes. Water and other beneficial liquids are essential in keeping your organs functioning properly and rehydrating your eyes, so consider increasing your intake of liquids during winter months to prevent dehydration. If you’re an avid coffee or chai drinker, consider opting for green tea or chrysanthemum tea as they are more beneficial for the eyes and help to prevent eyestrain.

3. Use a Warm Washcloth

Using a warm, damp compress assists with tear secretion for common dry eyes. By simply applying a warm washcloth on each eye for two to three minutes per eye, you can help your eyes create the moisture they need. This tip also helps sooth scratchy, irritated and swollen eyes and can be one of the best ways to quickly treat the symptoms of dry eyes.

More tips here: https://www.vspdirect.com/vision-hub/5-tips-for-dry-winter-eyes#:~:text=Cold%20temperatures%2C%20dry%20outdoor%20air,to%20compensate%20for%20the%20dryness.

Cold Weather Woes: 6 Ways Winter Can Affect Your Eyes

While you probably remember to drive more carefully and bundle up before going outside, you may overlook the seasonal threats to your eye health. These hazards often seem less obvious than an icy road or freezing morning, but eye health issues can be just as dangerous.

1. DRYNESS
Cold outdoor air and heated indoor air often have less moisture in them than other environments. In the winter, you may experience dry skin, chapped lips, and dry eyes due to this low humidity. Cold winter winds may also dry your eyes out. You can learn more about this condition in our blog “Irritated, Itchy Eyes: What You Need to Know About Dry Eye.”

To minimize the drying ability of winter air, keep yourself hydrated and increase your intake of omega-3s. You may also want to run a humidifier in your home to improve the quality of your indoor air.

2. EXCESS TEARING
While some people experience a lack of tears in the winter, others have the opposite problem. Excess tearing and runny eyes can occur due to cold air, biting winds, or seasonal allergies. Pay attention to when your eyes tear up to determine the cause.

If your eyes start to water when you step outside or when the wind blows your way, wear sunglasses or goggles to protect your eyes. If you experience excess tearing while indoors, try an allergy medication and appropriate eye drops to reduce the effect of seasonal allergies. If you cannot determine the cause of your watery eyes or if over-the-counter treatments have no effect, especially if the wateriness alters your vision, see an optometrist.

3. LIGHT SENSITIVITY
Winter skies can seem dark and gloomy, but snowfall and ice create many reflective surfaces that can dramatically increase the amount of light. If you have sensitive eyes, you may experience even more blinking, discomfort, and other symptoms in bright winter light.

Some individuals develop new light sensitivity during winter due to a condition known as “snow blindness,” which we’ll discuss in more detail in section five. Always protect your eyes when going outdoors for long periods of time, including when walking, shoveling snow, or performing other routine activities.

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6. VISION CHANGES

While many winter eye health problems result from increased light or decreased moisture, you can also experience eye conditions caused by the cold temperature. Extremely low temperatures cause the blood vessels in and around the eyes to constrict, and this constriction can cause immediate vision changes, such as blurriness and double vision. These changes are most likely to occur when you stay outside for long periods of time in temperatures that are well below freezing.

If you notice vision changes while out in the cold, move to a warm area as soon as possible. If your normal vision doesn’t return after 30 minutes or so, seek medical attention. An optometrist may use medicated eye drops to help the blood vessels in your eye dilate back to their normal size.

If you experience any of the seasonal problems listed above, consult with an eye doctor. While some eye health issues will clear up as the temperatures rise, others may become more uncomfortable and potentially dangerous without medical attention.

Link: https://allabouteyes.com/cold-weather-woes-6-ways-winter-can-affect-eyes/

BATTLING WINTER DRY EYE: WHAT STEPS CAN YOU TAKE?

Between the harsh winter winds outside and the dry heat inside, our eyes can quickly become irritated and dried out in the winter months. Being exposed to either of these atmospheres can trigger a sudden onset of moisture evaporation inside of our eyes. Tear glands can’t produce fluid quick enough to maintain the protective, liquid coating that our eyes need to stay hydrated. The result of this lack of moisture is itchy, dry eyes that can cause pain, blurred vision, burning sensations, or even watery vision as our eyes compensate for the dryness. Learn how you can combat Problems with winter dry eyes today!


Do You Have Winter Dry Eye?

Winter brings cold temperatures, and in many places snow. However, the winter months can also bring winter dry eye conditions to many patients. If you notice that your eyes seem drier in the winter, you’re not alone. You get drier eyes because there is the increased wind, dry indoor air, and many places are blasting heat, all of which evaporate tears in the eyes.

Your eyes need moisture to stay healthy. Your eyes are actually mostly made up of different chambers of fluid that hold all your nerves and tissues in place. Even on your eye surface, you have several different layers of moisture that are made up of both water and oil. Tears in your eyes help keep them clean and the eye tissues moist. Tears are provided by several glands in and around the eyelids. These tears are about 99% water and protect the delicate cells of the cornea. You need moisture in your eyes to prevent blurry vision, inflammation, hard spots and more.

Read how to "Battle your symptoms" at link: https://www.opticalmasters.com/blog/battling-winter-dry-eye-steps-can-take.html

Hope these tips might help others suffering from blurred vision or eye irritation this winter. At the very least, you now know it's likely due to outside weather and indoor dry heat and don't have to panic that you are suddenly losing your vision! Also, the fact that you are here on DU may mean that, like me, you are spending a lot of time online, which may contribute to these symptoms.

[hlthe2b]

1. Dryness is a big deal. Humidifier use and sterile saline eyedrops can help alot.

But an aside. Hot water (heated) humidifiers will kill most pathogens, but the introduction of "cool" humidifiers pose a risk for multiple pathogens, including Legionella bacteria and multiple fungi. Keep 'em clean.

[Squinch]

2. Interesting! Thank you.

[tanyev]

3. I'm going to add take a close look at your eyelids right at the roots of your eyelashes

to see if you have any crusty build up. There was a time I was dealing with dry eye symptoms and then one day I noticed some scales on my bottom eyelid. I started using eyelid wipes and that cleared it all up completely. Stopped using the wipes and it eventually came back, so now I use them all the time.

What really irritated me was I had been to the optometrist not too long before I noticed the scales. He must certainly have been able to see that when he was examining my eyes. I had to go to Dr. Google and figure it all out myself.

[question everything]

4. "Screen time" - TV and computers an eBooks cause the eyes to blink at a lower rate

I am very conscientious to apply eye drops every couple of hours whether I feel the need or not.

[wishstar]

5. Lots of computer screen use does seem to make my eyes dry so I try to use drops before bedtime