The cold winter months can be tough on our bodies here in the Omaha area, and our eyes are no exception. Dry indoor heating, harsh winds, and snow glare can all lead to discomfort and irritation. To help you keep your eyes healthy and comfortable all winter long, we’ve put together a list of our top 5 winter eye care tips. Read on to learn more!
Keep your eyes hydrated
During the winter months, it’s important to keep your eyes and the rest of you hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Indoor heat can cause the air to become dry, which can cause discomfort for your eyes. To help combat this, make sure you’re staying hydrated throughout the day by drinking 8-10 glasses of water. You can also use a humidifier in your home or office to help keep the air moist.
Invest in and wear quality sunglasses
While sunglasses are often associated with summertime, they’re just as important in the winter months. Snow glare can be incredibly damaging to your eyes, so make sure you have a good pair of sunglasses that you can wear when you’re outdoors. Look for sunglasses that block out at least 98% of UV rays for optimal protection.
We offer high-quality, fashionable sunglasses in our optical at Omaha Primary EyeCare. If you wear eyeglasses, getting prescription sunglasses provide you with better, more comfortable vision outside. Different colors of lenses provide different benefits. Yellow and amber lenses filter out blue light, making them ideal for watching sports, while rose and purple lenses increase the contrast against blue and green backgrounds, which gives you an advantage while spending time on the water. Whatever color of lenses you choose, remember that polarized lenses are a must for glare reduction.
Take breaks from screen time
We know it can be tempting to spend all day indoors binge-watching your favorite Netflix shows when it’s cold outside, but too much screen time is bad for your eyes. Make sure you’re taking breaks every 20 minutes or so to give your eyes a break from the screen. And when you do have to stare at a screen for long periods of time while working, try to blink frequently and use artificial tears if necessary.
Improve the lighting in your home
Good lighting in your home is important, especially during the shorter days in the winter when we rely on artificial lighting. To avoid straining your eyes, make sure you’re using multiple sources of light when spending time in a particular room without relying on one overhead light. Use lamps for focused light when reading and consider using light bulbs with warm light instead of cool blue. Finally, try to maximize as much natural light as possible by opening curtains and blinds during the day.
