With the cold winter months upon us, it’s important to keep your family’s eyes in good health. Here at EyeQ Optical in Spokane Valley, WA, our patients’ eye health and vision is our top priority. That’s why we’re sharing tips on how to take care of your eyes during the winter season. Read on for some of our top recommendations!
Wear sunglasses, even during the winter
It’s important to protect your eyes from the sun year-round, even during the winter months. Make sure you wear sunglasses that block out 99-100% of both UVA and UVB rays when you are outside.
If you plan on participating in any winter activities such as skiing or snowboarding, be sure to wear protective eyewear that is designed specifically for these sports. The snow is highly reflective, meaning your eyes can be exposed to the sun’s UV rays from the snow on the ground in addition to the sun in the sky. If you’re spending the day outside in the snow without wearing adequate protection from the sun for your eyes, you can end up with photokeratitis. Photokeratitis is a temporary but painful condition causing eye redness, sensitivity to bright light, blurry vision, tearing, and headaches.
Prevent dry eye
We all tend to spend more time inside during the winter, and central heating may make your eyes feel dry and irritated. Add moisture to the air with a humidifier, open the windows a bit to get some fresh air, and drink enough water every day to stay hydrated. If your eyes still feel dry and irritated, the team at EyeQ Optical can recommend eye drops or treatment for your dry eye.
Give your eyes a break from screens
Whether you work from home or are simply spending more time inside during the winter, chances are you are spending a lot of time looking at a computer screen or your mobile device. Remember the 20-20-20 rule: every twenty minutes or so, look at something twenty feet away for at least twenty seconds to give your eyes a break from the screens. EyeQ Optical can also recommend special lenses for eyeglasses to reduce the amount of blue light from the screens and alleviate symptoms of digital eye strain to help you feel better when you’re spending time in front of the computer or your mobile device.
Get the lighting right in your home
We see better in bright light! While working from home, try to get more natural light from a window while you’re working during the day and add “warm” lighting from incandescent or LED bulbs throughout your home and at your workspace.
Schedule an eye exam
Wintertime is also a great time to schedule an appointment with your optometrist for an eye exam. This will help ensure that your prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses is up-to-date and that any potential issues or changes in vision can be spotted early on before they become more serious problems down the road. It will also give you peace of mind knowing that your eyes are healthy and functioning properly.
Conclusion
At EyeQ Optical, we want all our patients to have healthy vision all year round, including the cold winter months! Following these simple tips will help you keep your eyes healthy so you can enjoy all your favorite winter activities without worry.
If you have any questions about eye health or need to schedule an appointment for an eye exam, don’t hesitate to call us today! We look forward to serving you this season.