Winter can be an especially challenging time for your eyes. The dryness inside of your home and work space can irritate your eyes, and the cold and harsh winds outside combined with the bright sun can also hurt your eyes. Here are three ways that you can protect your eye health during the winter.

#1 Protect Your Eyes From The Sun

One of the most important thing that you can do during the winter is protect your eyes. When you go outside during the day, you should always have on sunglasses that protect your eyes from ultraviolet rays. Make sure that your sunglasses are designed to block out the majority of ultraviolet rays. The sun is still strong when it is cloudy outside and when it is cold; the sun is not only bright during the summer. When it is cloudy outside and the sun is bouncing off the pavement and other objects, the sun can actually be more harmful to your eyes than on a clear and sunny day. Wearing your sunglasses during the day throughout the year is one of the best steps you can take towards protecting your eyes.

#2 Protect Your Eyes From The Cold & Wind

The sun is not the only thing that you need to protect your eyes against during the winter time. Having the wind wipe into your eyes can hurt, and the cold and the change in pressure that comes with it as you go from inside to outside can be painful. You can protect your eyes by wearing a beanie or a wider brimmed hat when you go outside. Wearing a hoodie will also protect your eyes from the wind, as will wrapping up your head and neck with a nice, big fluffy scarf.

Investing in a pair of wraparound sunglasses is also a great idea for the winter time. Wraparound sunglasses will help keep the wind out of your eyes. Bundle up with you go outside and try your best to protect your face from the harsh winds and cold weather.

#3 Protect Your Eyes From Dryness

Another side effect of winter is that it gets really dry inside of most people's homes. Humidity levels tend to drop during the winter time naturally, and then tend to drop even more due to the use of artificial heat inside of your home.

You can help fight back against the dryness in the air, which can leave your eyes feeling irritated, by using a humidifier in your home to bring the humidity levels up to something that is more comfortable for your eyes and your skin. You can also fight back against dryness by using artificial tears to keep your eyes moist and comfortable.

Finally, make sure that you are drinking enough water, as dehydration has many effects on your body, including drying out your eyes. 

For more information, talk to a professional like Coastal Eye Care.