Are you dreading the winter months because of your dry eyes? Here are five surefire ways you can stop Old Man Winter from making your dry eyes unbearable.
Winter is no friend to dry eyes. Especially in an arid climate like that of ours here in Calgary. Maybe you've already noticed that your hands and hair have begun to dry out as we experience our first taste of what's on tap for the next few months. If you have, your dry eyes are certainly feeling the effects of the change in weather too. Here are five surefire ways you can stop this cold, dark, dry period of the year from making your dry eyes unbearable, courtesy of our Calgary optometrist.
Looking for dry eye care in Calgary or Three Hills? My Optometrist Calgary is home to the Advanced Dry Eye and Ocular Wellness Clinic. We're also happy to announce that we are once again fully open following our brief closure due to the initial outbreak of COVID-19. We’ve taken the necessary precautions to ensure our customers and staff remain safe given these still uncertain times, and are looking forward to seeing all our amazing patients again safely in person. Contact us today to book a comprehensive eye exam or dry eye care appointment in Calgary or Three Hills, and let's make sure you're still seeing clearly and comfortably during this hazy period.
If you suffer from dry eyes, you probably have a pretty good care plan in place already to alleviate the symptoms that accompany this frustrating condition. But during the winter months, you're going to have to go above and beyond if you want to keep your dry eyes at bay. Here are five ways you can do just that.
1. Use Artificial Tears Preemptively
Artificial tears are likely your best ally already when it comes to effectively managing your dry eyes. But in winter, you don't want to have to wait until your eyes get dry to use them. That's because it can be tough to alleviate the symptoms of dry eyes once they've sufficiently dried out. Be proactive and use your artificial tears before your eyes are screaming for them.
2. Don't Aim Heaters at Your Eyes
Winter means bundling up and cranking up our heaters in our homes, offices, and vehicles. Just be sure those heaters aren't aimed at your face, or you could end up drying out your eyes very quickly and exacerbating your symptoms. Instead, direct the heaters towards your body, so you still get the benefit of their warmth without them causing your eyes to dry out. This tip is especially important in your vehicle where the vents are probably still aimed at your face because of running the AC in the summer.
3. If You're Going Outside, Wear Sunglasses
The sun never sets on cool. Just tell your friends that when they ask why you're wearing your shades on an overcast wintry day. Sunglasses will help block out the cold, dry air that's flying around. Which if it hits your eyes will be like a one-two punch in causing your dry eye symptoms to flare up.
WHY DIABETICS NEED TO SEE THEIR OPTOMETRIST REGULARLY TO SAFEGUARD THEIR SIGHT
4. Practice the 20-20-20 Rule
Our digital device usage and screen time go up during winter as we're forced to spend more time inside. Staring at these screens causes us to blink less than we normally do, which causes our eyes to dry out even faster. One way you can combat this is by practicing the 20-20-20 rule, which is super easy to remember. Every 20 minutes, make sure you stare at something that's at least 20 feet away for a minimum of 20 seconds.
5. Warm Compresses and Humidifiers Are Your Best Friend
Warm compresses are one of the best dry eye treatments out there, especially for those who have dry eyes due to a Meibomian gland dysfunction, which causes your tears to evaporate too quickly. Use a warm compress to counteract this at least twice a day, perhaps when you first wake up and once when you get home from work or before going to bed. Even if the cause of your dry eyes isn't a Meibomian gland dysfunction, warm compresses can help improve your condition. Last but not least, use a humidifier everywhere you can, including work. They'll add moisture to the air helping your eyeballs stay better lubricated throughout the day.
If you need dry eye care in Calgary or Three Hills, My Optometrist Calgary has you covered with our Advanced Dry Eye and Ocular Wellness Clinic. Contact one of our My Optometrist Calgary clinics at either 403-256-0606 (Health First Optometry), 403-291-0923 (Sunridge Vision Centre), or 403-443-2040 (Three Hills Optometry).
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