Dry Eyes
Winter air is dry indoors and outdoors, making dry eye symptoms more noticeable. Furnaces lower the humidity, and fireplaces add smoke and irritants. Switching to winter bedding and clothing can also stir up dust. Together, these factors leave eyes feeling gritty, irritated, and red.
To stay comfortable, use a humidifier at home, and make sure warm air from heaters isn’t blowing directly on your face — whether you’re at home, work, or in the car. Artificial tears and anti-allergy drops can ease irritation, but ask your eye doctor which ones are best for your symptoms.
Wind Burn
Cold wind can strip moisture and protective oils from your skin — and your eyes. Tears are essential for clear vision and for protecting the eye’s surface, but wind speeds up evaporation, leading to dryness, blurry vision, and pain. This often triggers reflex tearing, but those watery tears don’t actually rehydrate or heal the eyes.
The best defense is prevention: wear wraparound sunglasses or frames with side shields to block wind exposure. If windburn occurs, a high-quality artificial tear will restore moisture to the eye while it heals, which usually takes just a few days.
Snow Glare & Snow Blindness
Yes, your eyes can get sunburned in winter. Fresh snow reflects up to 88% of UV light, far more than water or sand, which increases the risk of UV damage to the eyes.
The solution is simple: sunglasses. In winter, choose wraparound styles to protect from both UV exposure and wind. Pair them with sunscreen, long sleeves, and a brimmed hat for full protection.
Digital Eye Strain
Colder months often mean more screen time. That can lead to eye fatigue, dryness, and even headaches. The “20/20/20 rule” helps: every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Because people blink less while on screens, “blink breaks” can also help — forcefully blink five times every half hour. Keeping artificial tears at your desk or near your TV remote is a simple way to remind yourself to use them morning, midday, and evening.
If headaches persist, see your eye doctor. You may need a new prescription or an evaluation of how well your eyes work together.
Winter Flare-Ups: Blepharitis & Ocular Rosacea
Blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelid margin and causes redness, swelling, and debris in the lashes. Winter often triggers flare-ups because dry air, allergies, and windburn all add to irritation, worsening the condition.
Ocular rosacea — an autoimmune disorder — can also inflame the eyelids and create similar symptoms, including burning, stinging, blurry vision, and an increased risk of styes.
Treatment depends on the cause. For dry-eye-related blepharitis, use artificial tears and warm compresses to help your eyes produce healthy oils. Allergy or infection-related cases may require medication. For ocular rosacea, treatments may include anti-inflammatory therapies or in-office procedures.
To prevent flare-ups, stay consistent with your dry-eye routine, keep lids clean with over-the-counter eyelid cleansers like Ocusoft, Oust, or Cliradex, and use cool compresses for sudden inflammation. Your eye doctor can guide you toward the right regimen.
Contact Lens Discomfort
Contact lenses can become less comfortable as winter dryness increases. Look for “contact-lens safe” or “rewetting” drops that are designed for use while lenses are in. Use them on a schedule — three or four times a day — rather than waiting until your eyes feel dry.
Good hygiene is also essential: don’t sleep in your lenses; replace them as directed; use fresh solution nightly; and never wear them while swimming or showering. Over-wearing lenses can make winter irritation dramatically worse.
The One Thing Most People Forget
The simplest step to protecting your eyes during winter? Visit your eye doctor. A routine exam can identify dryness, irritation, or early signs of other conditions, and your doctor can recommend personalized treatments to keep your eyes comfortable throughout the season.
Dr. Wil McGriff is an associate professor at Southern College of Optometry and sees patients in the Adult Primary Care Clinic of The Eye Center and in FocalPoint at Crosstown Concourse.
By Wil McGriff, O.D.
