3 Tips for Protecting Your Eyes this Winter
We all know the importance of protecting our eyes from the harmful effects of the sun during Summer but how often do we think of our eye health during the cooler months?
When winter approaches and the days become cold and overcast, it can be easy to forget that our eyes are still being exposed to UV radiation as well as other environmental factors.
Long term exposure to UV light can increase the risk of developing degenerative eye conditions such as cataract, glaucoma and macular degeneration.
So here are 3 simple tips for protecting your eye health during winter:
1. Continue to wear your sunglasses
UV radiation can be just as high on a cold day as it can on a hot one, especially when skies are clear.
Up to 90% of the sun’s harmful UV radiation is able to penetrate thin cloud cover, even during winter.
In areas that receive snow cover during winter, the risk of UV radiation exposure is even higher, as snow reflects significant levels of UV light.
Continuing to wear protective sunglasses during the cooler months can significantly reduce your eye’s exposure to UV radiation.
Adding a hat to your wardrobe also helps protect your eyes, with the added benefit of keeping your head warm.
2. Keep Lubricating Eye drops at hand
Whether you’re working outdoors in cold, drying wind or indoors under central heating, during winter our eyes are exposed to a number of environmental conditions that can strip them of moisture.
This can lead to a condition know as dry eye which can be painful and irritating and may increase the risk of eye infections.
Fortunately, dry eye can be prevented during winter, either by using a humidifier while indoors or with lubricating eye drops, which replace the moisture lost to wind, cold or heat.
So it is always a good idea to keep a bottle handy during the cooler months.
3. Maintain regular Check-ups with your eye health professional
Cold weather shouldn’t be used as an excuse to skip your regular eye health appointments.
It is recommended that people over the age of 50 visit their eye health professional at least once a year and those with chronic health conditions such as diabetes should aim to have a check-up every 6 months.
Keeping in regular contact with your eye doctor allows them to monitor the health of your eyes and to detect any changes early, before they become serious.
Many degenerative eye conditions have few symptoms at the start and can only be detected through an eye examination.
So, don’t let the winter months deter you from making that appointment.
Call Northern Eye Centre today on (03) 9459 5133 to book your next appointment.