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.

Sunglasses aren’t just the go-to summertime accessory. Winter demands that you wear your sunglasses too! Protecting your eyes from the harsh glare of the sun can decrease your likelihood of developing cataracts, macular degeneration and cornea sunburns. Exposure to the sun during the winter can also increase your risk vision problems due to snow glare, snow blindness, or dry eye.

Many people know that it’s important to protect their eyes during the summer months. This is a time when the sun is out most days and UV damage to the eyes and skin is high. However, many people aren’t aware that the sun can cause just as much damage on an overcast day or during the wintertime.

You move water across your vision when you blink to wash away debris, stabilize your visual field, lubricate and protect against infection. What happens when you don’t produce enough tears though? Dry eye can become a serious problem, as damage to the cornea can occur without proper lubrication. We recommend using artificial tears as the primary treatment for dry eye.