Why Does My Vision Get Worse in the Winter? 

If you think your vision is failing in the winter, it’s probably not just in your head. Winter brings about its own unique set of challenges for our eyes, and we’re going to explain what they are and how to handle them. 

Read on as a Camarillo, CA optometrist talks about winter’s effects on our eyes and when to consider seeing an eye doctor. 

The Effects of Winter’s Cold

The cold winter air can affect your eyes in a variety of ways. When the air is dry or when it gets colder, the protective layer of tear film starts to diminish. The tears begin to evaporate more rapidly so that less lubrication is available to help improve the clarity of your vision. 

This can cause eye strain and discomfort as well as dryness. Your eyes may be more sensitive to bright light, especially when you are outdoors during the middle of the day when natural outdoor lighting is at its brightest

Dry Eye Syndrome 

The most common reason for winter eye problems is dry eye syndrome, which affects many people in the winter. The condition is usually caused by a lack of tears or overactive tear ducts. 

Symptoms of dry eyes include:

• Irritation
• Burning 
• Stinging

Talk to Your Optometrist

If you experience vision problems during the winter months, don’t just suffer through it! Talk to your optometrist about what you’re experiencing and any other symptoms you might have. Your eye doctor can recommend a number of interventions that may help improve or eliminate your symptoms.

For example, if dry eyes are causing inflammation in the cornea, one treatment option would be to apply artificial tears several times per day. If allergies are contributing to your discomfort, antihistamines may be recommended as well as increased intake of water or other eye drops.

It is important for people with these types of problems to follow up regularly with an annual exam at their eye care provider so treatment can be adjusted accordingly if needed.

Considerations

Winter can be a difficult time of year for your vision. But it’s not something you have to just deal with. In fact, there are many ways to treat dry eye syndrome and other winter vision problems so that they don’t affect your ability to see clearly or even cause pain when you blink. 

If your eyes are bothering you because of the season, please don’t hesitate to call your local Camarillo, CA optometrist today!