There are very good reasons why people use phrases such as “harsh winter”or “bitter cold”, Sure, winter can be portrayed a ‘wonderland’ in=movies and cartoons, but when it comes to reality, the winter climate can become too tough to handle for many people.
Most of those who live in cold climates–or seasons–often take great precautions when it comes to protecting their bodies by wearing appropriate clothing in the winter, yet many fewer go so far as to adequately protect their eyes.
In fact, many of us aren’t even aware of how winter can harm our eyes.
Winter weather presents challenges for even the healthiest eyes. A dip in the temperature can be directly proportionate to a dip in our eyes’ health. Proper precautions need to be taken during the cold seasons if we really wish to care for our eyes.
According to Dr. Pretli, OD, Director of Professional Services at Visionworks, dry eyes are the most common eye issue experienced during the cold winter months. He’s consolidated a few simple facts relating to the causes of winter dry eyes: First, indoor heating, along with these seasonal weather conditions cause the humidity levels to drop.
The lack of humidity in the air is typically the cause of dry, itchy, and burning eyes. Additionally, UV light has been recognized as a causative agent in the development of skin cancer, cataracts, and macular degeneration. During the winter months, and without protective eyewear, the sun’s glare on the snow or ice can cause snow blindness–or photokeratitis.
So, let’s have a look at the top 3 tips for winter eye protection:
- Moisturize eyes:
Usually, we prefer having a warm environment in our homes whenever there’s a serious dip in the temperature outside. A warm temperature in your home can be a very good thing for you, but it also comes with a con.
Heaters emit hot air into the room to keep your bodies warm, but it also makes your eyes dry which can be irritable and potentially lead to a health condition called ‘dry eye’.
This can cause your eyes to lose the ability to produce tears properly. Using a humidifier or the application of artificial tears (OTC or, in more severe cases, prescribed by a doctor) can be a real eye-saver in such situations.
You can simply stay farther away from the heaters as well. But, make sure that you keep your eyes moist in the winters.
- UV protective sunglasses:
There’s a huge misconception attached to the effects of UV rays on our eyes. The truth is that UV rays affect your eyes regardless of the season.
After all, Mr. Sun doesn’t care about what season it is. Actually, the effect of UV rays on your eyes is amplified in the winter because the sun’s rays can be reflected off of the snow and directly into your eyes.
So to help promote optimal eye health, take care by wearing a sunglass that can block the UV rays from entering your eyes.
- Goggles:
Dust, ice, and debris are just a few items that can g your eyes and cause serious irritation and potential infections. Wear goggles in order to shield your eyes from those identified–and maybe unidentified–‘flying objects.
Sunglasses do not always block your eyes completely. So, wearing goggles ensures your eyes’ safety, especially in extreme winter conditions.
The best, all-encompassing option in this case is to buy goggles and sun glasses that have built-in UV protection.
Our family found great frames from VisionWorks! Take a look at these below!
For Me
Brand: bebe
Style: BB 5125
Color: Teal
Link: https://www.visionworks.com/eyeglasses/womens/bebe/bb-5125/sku640306
For Rob, My Hubs
Brand: Lacoste
Style: L 2741
Color: Green
Link: https://www.visionworks.com/eyeglasses/womens/lacoste/l-2741/sku170020
For Cade, My Son
Brand: Raycers (Available exclusively at Visionworks)
Style: KB 4004
Color: Navy
Link: https://www.visionworks.com/eyeglasses/kids/raycers/kb-4004/sku170714
For June, My daughter
Brand: Vera Bradley
Style: MISTY
Color: Brown
Link: https://www.visionworks.com/eyeglasses/kids/vera-bradley/misty/sku10159
Identity Magazine is all about guiding women to discover their powers of Self-Acceptance, Appreciation, and Personal Achievement. We ask that every contributor and expert answer the Identity 5 questions in keeping with our theme. Their answers can be random and in the moment or they can be aligned with the current article they have written. In that way, and as a team, we hope to encourage and motivate each other, thus inspiring you to Get All A’s.
1. What have you accepted within your life, physically and/or mentally? Additionally, what are you still working on accepting? Now, we’re not talking about resignation, rather stepping into, embraced, and owned.
I accept the responsibility to protect my eyes as well as June and Cade, my 3.5 year old twins.
2. What have you learned to appreciate about yourself and/or within your life, physically and mentally? On the other hand OR in contrast, are there elements of who you are that you’re still working on appreciating?
I appreciate my eye! Ugh, I have blue eyes and my kids have such beautiful eyes! I appreciate that we have the ability to see and will honor that by taking care of them!
3. What is one of your most rewarding achievements in life? Tell us not only what makes YOU most proud but also share the goals and dreams that you still have.
I’m proud to really put the effort in being the best human and mother and wife that I can be. I educate myself, and take it a step further by implementing.. I’m most proud of “showing up”….
4. Of course, we all have imperfections, or so we think. In truth, we are all perfectly imperfect. What are your not-so-perfect ways? Likewise, what imperfections and quirks create who you are–your Identity?
I’m sooooo perfectly imperfect. I’m loud, and maybe a little too wild for my age, but I never “want to grow” up. My heart and soul will remain young…
5. “I Love My…” is an outlet for you to appreciate and express all the positive traits that make you…well…YOU! In fact, sharing what you love about yourself will make you smile, feel empowered, and uplift your spirit and soul. (We assure you!) Therefore, Identity challenges you to complete the phrase “I Love My…?”
I love my character, the woman I’ve become and I love my family and our health.
