6 Ways to Protect Your Eyes This Winter
You probably know that you should protect your eyes during the summer, but did you know that they need to be protected during the winter too?
Cold, dry air and bright sunlight can damage your eyes and affect your eyesight. So, whether you’re hitting the slopes, going to work or getting cozy by the fire, you should be aware of the necessity of protecting your vision.
The professionals from Wise Eyes Optical have some great tips to help you keep your eyes healthy this winter.
1. Wear Sunglasses, Even On Cloudy Winter Days
Harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays can penetrate through clouds, even on the shortest, dreariest days of winter. Snowy conditions can actually double the sun’s effect as ultraviolet rays enter your eyes from above while also being reflected off the snow into your eyes. Wearing sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of ultraviolet light as well as wearing a hat or visor during particularly bright conditions can help to protect your eyes.
Wise Eyes Optical offers both prescription and non-prescription sunglasses in the hottest styles to keep you looking cool and feeling comfortable while protecting your vision. We offer styles for men, women, teens, and children that are perfect for all of your outdoor activities.
2. Wear a Hat
Wear a wide-brimmed hat to keep UV rays off your face and out of your eyes. A hat with a wide brim can help keep the sun out of your eyes. In good weather, you could wear a baseball cap or other hat with a wide brim. In cooler weather, you could wear a warmer wool or knitted cap over a baseball cap or similar hat to keep your head and ears warm, and eyes protected.
3. Wear Eye Protection
Eye injuries can happen in the winter too. Protect your eyes from injury while shoveling snow, putting up seasonal decorations on your house, or doing winter yard work. It’s very easy for dirt, slush and even ice to get into your eyes while you’re participating in outdoor activities during the winter season. Sunglasses with wraparound frames can more fully protect your eyes when skating, shoveling snow, or just walking about during winter.
Wise Eyes Optical has protective safety eyewear which utilize polycarbonate lenses. These extremely impact-resistant lenses are ideal for eyeglasses used in many types of hazardous working environments and eyewear for athletes in all contact sports. Contact Wise Eyes Optical to check out our great selection!
4. Keep Eyes Moist with Eye Drops
Dry outdoor air, heat from a furnace or fire, wind, and circulating indoor air can cause irritation and eye dryness. This can be especially uncomfortable if you already suffer from dry eye, a chronic condition in which your body doesn’t produce enough natural tears to lubricate your eyes. Use artificial tears or other eye drops to keep your eyes moist. Deflect air blowing from furnace vents; use a humidifier to put moisture into room air.
5. Practice good hygiene
Conjunctivitis, more commonly known as “Pinkeye”, is more common during the winter. Similar to colds, pinkeye is a contagious disease that spreads a virus or bacteria from person to person. Pinkeye spreads through contact, so places like doorknobs and other hard surfaces can harbor the bacteria or virus. Conjunctivitis can even spread from one of your eyes to the other. To protect your eyes from the increased risk of Pinkeye in the winter, wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your eyes. If you do develop Pinkeye, make an appointment with your eye doctor for treatment of conjunctivitis.
6. Visit your optometrist
Protect your eyes by making an appointment with the professionals at Wise Eyes Optical, who can test your vision, diagnose vision problems, provide treatment for some eye conditions, and manage vision changes. They can also perform preventive screenings to detect vision problems early, while eye diseases are most responsive to treatment.
Contact Wise Eyes Optical
Your Hometown Vision Center Serving Central Pennsylvania
Your local Wise Eyes Optical hometown vision center is here to help you achieve the best possible vision for life. We offer expert eye and vision care including eye-related medical care, custom fitting of eyeglasses and contacts, eyeglass repair, and much more. If you have questions or would like to learn more, reach out to your nearest Central Pennsylvania Wise Eyes Optical office. For assistance, call (717) 242-1915.
