Protect your eyes this winter

With winter well and truly set in, it's time to protect your eyes, especially as the pandemic may mean you are spending more time indoors. Here are some ways that winter can affect your eye health and some tips for prevention from the College of Optometrists.

Winter Sun

Sunglasses can also be helpful in winter., Snow and ice are reflective, so it's advised to wear sunglasses on sunny winter days. It's also worth asking your optician about anti-reflection coating on the lenses to reduce the effect of sun glare while driving.

Dry Eyes

Central heating will be whacked up in these colder months, but that can make already dry eyes feel worse. Here are some simple steps you can take to feel more comfortable:

• Lower the temperature in rooms when possible.
• Open windows, even for a few minutes.
• Use a humidifier, or have a bowl of water near the radiator to help humidify the air.
• Use eye drops or ointments from your optician or pharmacist if you need to.

Winter lighting

As the darker nights draw in, it's essential to get the lighting in your room correct for things like reading, puzzles etc. Your optician can help you with your lighting needs at your home appointment if required.

Screen time

During the pandemic, there may have been an increase in the time you have used your smartphone or tablets. With increased screen time, there could be more eye strain. When using screens, it's important to:

• Position the screen appropriately so it's roughly at arm's length away from your eyes.
• Minimise distracting reflections on your screen like windows.
• Take breaks - look at something 20ft away, for 20 seconds, every 20 minutes.
• Blink regularly. When using our screens, we tend to blink less, making our eyes dry and uncomfortable.

If you are worried about your vision, contact us on 0800 60 50 40 for a home visit.

Source:

/ Winter Eye Health infographicLook After Your Eyes