Winter. A season marked by shorter days, cooler temperatures, and typically more time spent indoors. The perfect season to watch movies in front of a fire, curl up with a good book or set to work on that novel of your own that you’ve been meaning to write all these years. Winter also is a prime season to develop the condition known as Dry Eye.
It has been estimated that 10 to 20 percent of the U.S. population suffers from Dry Eye. Symptoms of the condition include dry, tired eyes; blurriness; itchiness or scratchiness; feelings of grittiness; burning, stinging or foreign body sensation in the eye; and sensitivity to light.
Dry Eye is especially common in winter months when air typically is dryer thanks to low precipitation levels outside and heating systems indoors. Extreme cold, heat and wind can zap moisture from eyes, leaving them dry and irritated. So can recycled air in airplanes, offices and gyms.
Aging, hormonal changes, certain types of medications, including oral contraceptives and antihistamines, extended contact lens use, smoke, pollution and concentrated near work such as staring at a computer screen for extended periods of time, can also contribute to Dry Eye.
Dry Eye occurs when there is inadequate wetting and lubrication of the eye. Blinking is the body’s natural response to this condition and helps to spread moisture in the form of tears over the surface of the eye. The average person blinks eight times per minute. That number decreases dramatically, by nearly half, when we spend extended periods of time reading, writing, using a computer or even driving.
Dry Eye can be managed and rarely causes serious complications, but should always be treated. “Artificial tears like those found in SYSTANE (R) Lubricant Eye Drops are available without a prescription and are clinically proven to reduce both signs and symptoms of Dry Eye,” said Shachar Tauber, MD, director of Ophthalmic Research, Cornea and Refractive Surgery at St. John’s Clinic Eye Specialists in Springfield, Mo.
Avoid products designed to remove redness, however, as some medical professionals believe these only mask symptoms and can actually cause eyes to become dryer.
Remember your eyes this winter season whether you live, work and play in a cold or warm environment, and protect them from dryness in the same way you take care to moisturize your skin, condition your hair and apply balm to your lips.
Following are tips from Alcon, Inc., the maker of SYSTANE Lubricant Eye Drops, to help you preserve your eye health and alleviate the discomfort of Dry Eye this season:
• Use artificial tears to alleviate discomfort and protect your eyes from dryness.
• Visit your eye care professional for an annual eyecare exam.
• Discard old or expired cosmetics and contact lenses.
• Wear sunglasses outdoors and in the car to protect your eyes against harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids.
• Eat right.
• Avoid extremely dry, cold or windy environments when possible.
• Use a humidifier in your office and home to counteract the effects of heated and recycled air.
• If you work on a computer or read for extended periods of time, take frequent breaks and allow your eyes to rest.
For more information on Dry Eye and protecting your eyes during the winter months, contact your eye care professional or visit www.systane.com.
