As the seasons change, dry eye symptoms can worsen or lessen with the rising and falling temperatures. High winds, extremely dry air, or airborne irritants can cause your tear film to evaporate too quickly. Allergens and indoor air quality at work or home can also compromise normal tear function. So, which season has the greatest impact on dry eyes? Read our blog to find out:
Spring
Seasonal allergies can cause symptoms that mirror chronic dry eyes. If your eyes feel irritated or dry, especially during the spring when allergens are more abundant, make sure you visit an optometrist to determine the correct treatment. If you experience a lot of itchiness it’s likely that your symptoms are the result of an allergy. It’s important to receive a diagnosis from your doctor for the right allergy medication, as many over-the-counter oral antihistamines used for allergies can worsen dry eyes as a side effect.
Summer
During the summer months, researchers see a dip in dry eye, and sufferers of dry eye report fewer or less severe symptoms. This is likely due to the weather, as warmer temperatures and humid air keep the eyes comfortable and moist.
Fall
In the fall, there are a few factors that increase dry eye symptoms: allergies, cooler temperatures, and drier air. As in the spring, an allergy medication may help alleviate your eye itchiness and dryness.
Outdoor activities in the fall, such as yard work and raking leaves, can worsen allergies. Avoid being outside on days when your eyes seem especially irritated or, wear safety goggles when you work outside to avoid getting irritants in your eyes.
Winter
The cold months exacerbate dry eye symptoms the most. The air is not only drier outside but also inside because of indoor heating. Winter is also a season full of colds and the flu, decongestants and other over-the-counter cold medicines can make dry eye worse.
To help prevent dry eyes in the winter, a humidifier can help add moisture to the air in your home and offer some relief for your dry eyes. Also practice good hygiene, like washing your hands often, so you can avoid getting sick and relying on cold medicines. With symptoms at their worst, winter is a good time to see your doctor about dry eye symptoms if you haven’t already.
If you think you may need dry eye treatment, then you owe it to yourself to look into the diagnostic and treatment options available from our dry eye doctor at Complete Eye Care of Medina. Our Medina optometrist can find out what’s causing your dryness and arm you with the right methods to correct the problem.
Eye Care for the Whole Family
At Complete Eye Care of Medina, we value your family’s health, together, we can treat your family’s vision problems. Let’s work together and find ways to relieve your dry eyes. Schedule an appointment by calling us today at 763-225-3859 or visiting us online at completeeyecareofmedina.com.