How to maintain your eyes in winter?

ArabiaWeather - At a moment when the air is filled with cold breezes and shiny raindrops fall from the sky, the winter season is considered a magical and beautiful period. However, this beauty comes with its challenges, especially when it comes to the health of our eyes, and if you want to maintain your vision and the health of your eyes during the winter season, In the cold winter, knowing how to take care of them is essential. In this article, we will explore how you can achieve an ideal balance between enjoying the beauty of winter and maintaining the health of your eyes. We will take a look at the factors affecting eye health during this season, and provide effective and innovative tips for maintaining clear vision. And healthy eyes in light of the challenges of winter.

Does winter affect eye health?

Answer: With temperatures dropping significantly and direct exposure to cold air and strong winds in the winter, the possibility of the eye being exposed to cold increases, which negatively affects its health and causes multiple problems. Dr. Jamal Al-Mashad, Professor of Ophthalmology and Surgery at the Faculty of Medicine at Zagazig University, explains that In the winter, Al Ain may face some problems, including:

• Increased tear production as a result of exposure to cold air and its interaction with the mucous membranes lining the conjunctiva
• Dry Eye ; Due to the effect of cold weather on eye lubrication, winter conditions cause natural tears to evaporate, leading to increased complaints of eye pain and sensitivity to light, in addition to the constant feeling of sand-like grains in the eye and a feeling of intense burning with a constant desire to scratch it.
• Conjunctivitis often occurs after a cold and influenza, when the respiratory system becomes infected with a virus that travels to the conjunctiva through the mucous membranes, causing inflammation that results in pain and redness in the eye.

Dry eyes in winter

Dry eyes, known in English as "dry eye" , are considered one of the most common problems that accompany the winter and cold climates. It causes irritation in the eyes and a burning or itching sensation, which prompts the affected person to scratch his eyes in an attempt to relieve these symptoms, which may lead to an increase in the severity of these symptoms.

Dry eyes are often accompanied by the sensation of a foreign body inside the eye, and excessive tear production may increase as an attempt by the eye to adequately compensate for the lack of tears. Dry eyes, if left untreated for long periods, can cause the development of some complications such as increasing the risk of infectious diseases or Until vision becomes blurry.

Dry eyes pose a major challenge for people who wear contact lenses, as well as individuals with persistent dry eyes, a condition that causes the eye to produce a low-quality tear film.

Causes of dry eye problem in winter

• Effect of wind and cold air

Exposure to cold winds and dry air causes sudden evaporation of moisture inside the eyes; Therefore, the tear glands may not be able to produce tears quickly enough to maintain the protective tear film.

• Use of heating devices

Heating devices such as stoves and air conditioners cause a decrease in the level of humidity inside homes, and low humidity increases the likelihood of dry eyes and the appearance of associated symptoms.

• Indoor heating

Heating indoor spaces with radiators reduces the level of humidity in the air, and low humidity occurs unnoticed, increasing the likelihood of dry eyes.

• Use a car heater

Using the car's heater excessively and directing it toward the face can quickly cause dry eyes.

• Not drinking enough water

Cold weather makes the body feel less thirsty, which leads to not drinking enough water. Thus, fluid deficiency increases the evaporation of moisture from the eyes.

• Indoor heating and overheating

Using indoor air heaters results in low humidity, which contributes to dry eyes.

• Nutrient deficiency

Dry air may cause inflammation of the tear glands, which increases the risk of dry eyes. The eyes also need good nutrition, and it is preferable to include omega-3 fatty acids in the diet to reduce the chance of dryness occurring.

7 tips to protect your eyes in the winter

We offer you 7 effective tips to maintain the health of your eyes during this cold season. From protection from cold winds to taking care of moisture, let us discover together how you can improve the comfort of your eyes and enjoy the winter season without any hassle:

• Use moisturizing drops

It is preferable to moisten the eyes on a regular basis using lubricating drops, sometimes known as “artificial tears,” preferably used under the supervision of a doctor to improve the components of the tear glands.

• Drink sufficient amounts of water

Drinking sufficient amounts of water plays an important role in hydrating the body, including the eyes, and protecting them from dryness.

• Eat vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins

It is recommended to include vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in the diet, as this contributes to strengthening the body’s immunity and resistance to viruses, which contributes to protecting the conjunctiva from viral infections.

• Eat foods rich in vitamin A

It is recommended to eat vegetables, fruits, and grains that contain vitamin A, especially beta-carotene found in carrots and oranges, because of its role in promoting eye health.

• Avoid touching the eyes when infected with infectious diseases

It is preferable not to touch the eyes completely when suffering from a cold or flu, or after shaking hands with an infected person, to prevent the transmission of viruses.

• Avoid direct exposure to cold air

It is recommended to avoid direct exposure to cold air as much as possible, as this can cause irritation and dryness of the eyes.

• Sit in a well-lit room

In very cold climates, some people are forced to work from home, but they must sit in a bright room.

These points are summarized in a set of behaviors and daily care that can be followed to maintain eye health during the winter and avoid problems associated with dehydration.

Also know:

On the first days of rain... 5 useful tips

7 easy steps to becoming a winter morning person

Sources:

altibbi

elconsolto