Winter Woes: How to protect your eyes in Winter

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The winter season is quick approaching, which means low temperatures, dryness, ice, and snow are all things to either look forward to, or pray away. No one enjoys being sick through winter, so let's make sure we’re wrapping up, enjoying some warm drinks, and practicing proper hygiene, like washing our hands!

Onto eyecare, the cold air makes the atmosphere drier, making it difficult for contact lens wearers. To avoid discomfort while wearing contact lenses during winter, it's essential to combat the dryness caused by the season. Follow these helpful tips to eliminate the discomfort of wearing contact lenses during winter!

Preventing Eye Problems in Winter: Tips and Tricks

In order to wear contact lenses comfortably and promote eye health, it's crucial to maintain adequate moisture in your eyes.

Several factors can cause dryness and discomfort in winter.

Wearing contact lenses

When wearing contact lenses, the bilayer structure of the tear film in your eye can be disrupted, resulting in the thinning of the tear film on the lens surface, and therefore increased tear evaporation. This can lead to dry eyes, especially with soft contact lenses which tend to absorb water and tears, causing discomfort and irritation. To prevent these issues, it's crucial to choose the right contact lenses based on their moisture content and material.

So how does the water content and silicone hydrogel material of contact lenses impact eye dryness?

High water content lenses:
Contact lenses with a water content of 50% or more.
High water contact lenses typically contain a high amount of water, initially providing an extra layer of comfort. However, this high water content can quickly evaporate, causing dryness.The water lost is replaced by tears, which can worsen the problem of dryness.

Low water content lenses:
Contact lenses with less than 50% water content.
Low water content lenses contain a small amount of water, so they do not easily absorb tears, making the eyes less likely to dry out.

Silicone hydrogel lenses:
Silicone hydrogel lenses have a low water content, which prevents the eyes from drying out. Additionally, they also have high oxygen permeability, which reduces eye strain. As a result, less water evaporates as the material allows oxygen to pass through, releasing the moisture that is taken in.

Low water content and silicone hydrogel lenses are popular choices for those with dry eyes, but it's important to consult with an eye specialist for the best contact lenses for your eyes!

External Factors in Winter

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During the cold winter season, the air is typically quite dry, and indoor environments can worsen the condition due to prolonged use of heating. Additionally, we tend to spend more time indoors, resulting in prolonged screen time on devices such as smartphones and TVs. This reduced blinking can increase the evaporation of tears and reduce the production of new tears, leading to dryness in the eyes. Protect your eyes from dryness and discomfort by consciously blinking, taking regular breaks from screen time, and using a humidifier to add moisture to indoor air. If you find that your eyes are still dry after that, it may be worthwhile to look into getting some eye drops.

UV Radiation in Winter

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New Zealand boasts a plethora of stunning ski fields, making it an ideal destination for winter sports enthusiasts. With the winter season approaching, many are gearing up to enjoy the thrilling slopes and scenic mountain vistas that these ski fields have to offer. The UV intensity at ski resorts in New Zealand is influenced by various factors such as altitude, weather, and time of day. Due to the high altitude, the UV rays are generally stronger, which can increase the risk of sun damage and skin cancer. Not to mention the sun can be blinding up on the mountains, due to the light reflecting off the snow. To fully enjoy winter sports without any worries, it's important to protect your skin and eyes from harmful UV rays. In addition to using sunscreen, be sure to wear sunglasses or goggles that meet the New Zealand Standard. Stay safe on the slopes and have fun!

Click here to learn how UVs can harm your eyes.
Click here to find more UVs on snow.

Stay Warm and Healthy with These Helpful Tips!

If you're experiencing persistent dryness or discomfort when wearing contact lenses, it's crucial to seek the advice of an eye specialist. They can diagnose any underlying medical conditions that may be causing your symptoms and provide appropriate treatment, such as prescribing eye drops, suggesting a different type of contact lens, or adjusting your wearing habits. Protect your eyes this winter and consult with an ophthalmologist if you're experiencing any issues with your contact lenses.

To sum up, dryness is a common problem during the winter season, not just for the skin but also for the eyes. If you wear contact lenses, the risk of dryness increases, making it crucial to take care of your eye health. Protect yourself from seasonal illnesses such as colds, flu, and COVID-19, and stay warm this winter. Check out our tips for maintaining healthy eyes during the winter season!

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