Cold Weather and Eye Effects
Discover how cold weather impacts eye health and explore effective ways to protect and maintain eye comfort during winter months.
Written by Dr Shreya Sarkar
Last updated on 11th Mar, 2025
The winter season poses unique challenges to human health, especially the eyes. The human eyes are a sensitive organ that is prone to be affected by changing environmental conditions. Eyes, in particular, experience issues caused by dropping temperatures and reducing environmental moisture. The cold, dry air and lack of humidity significantly affect the eyes. So, understand how these seasonal changes impact this organ and maintain good eye health.
How Cold Weather Impacts Eye Health?
Cold weather can cause serious eye discomfort.
Dry Eyes Due to Moisture Loss: Cold air holds less moisture, so harsh winds remove the tear film, leading to dry and irritated eyes. This situation becomes worse when indoor heating makes the area drier again. As a result, dryness, redness, and a gritty feeling will worsen.
Reduced Blood Circulation: Due to cold weather, the blood vessels narrow. The blood can't circulate well in areas around the eyes, which can result in painful swelling, dark circles around the eyes, and photosensitivity.
Blurry vision: Sometimes, the eye produces excessive tears due to cold, windy weather. It leads to blurry vision.
Common Eye Problems During Cold Weather
Cold weather comes with specific eye complications that make the eyes uncomfortable and irritable. The common eye problems are:
Increased Tear Evaporation: Cold wind and low humidity increase tear film evaporation, leading to eye irritation and blurred vision.
Sensitivity to Light and Glare: In snowy areas, harmful ultraviolet rays are reflected off the snow, making the situation worse by causing eye strain or momentary discomfort.
Risk of Eye Infections: Conjunctivitis is more common in winter when the eyes are dry.
Redness and Puffiness: Cold temperatures reduce blood circulation, causing redness and puffiness around the eyes.
Symptoms to Watch For
Be on the lookout for the following symptoms that indicate eye discomfort or potential issues caused by cold weather:
Redness
Irritation
Blurred vision
Discomfort
Excessive tearing
Light sensitivity
Gritty sensation in the eyes
Puffiness around the eyes
Preventative Measures for Eye Health in Cold Weather
Measures that should be taken to minimise the influences of the cold weather on the eye are:
Hydration and Humidification: Maintaining moisture in the eyes is crucial. Using a humidifier indoors helps add moisture to the air and keeps your eyes hydrated, preventing dryness and soreness.
Wear Protective Eyewear: Sunglasses or goggles protect the eyes from cold wind and bright light sources like the sun. They act as shields, preventing wind from drying out the eyes and reducing glare from snow.
Diet and Supplements for Eye Health: To keep the eyes healthy, eat foods that are full of vitamins A, C, and E and omega-3 fatty acids. Fish oil, for instance, can be taken to supplement the body with major nutrients that support adequate tear production and low inflammation levels.
Regular Eye Exams: The regular eye check-up helps assess whether the eyes are functioning as they are supposed to or whether there is any other underlying condition. It also tests whether the eyes can function properly under harsh conditions, such as extreme cold, bright light, or dry air.
Use of Artificial Tears: Use any non-prescription eye drops as a quick solution for dry eye problems, especially when experiencing more severe eye dryness or irritation.
The following are some of the over-the-counter options for those experiencing eye discomfort due to cold weather:
Eye drops: They can be especially helpful in fixing dryness issues that come from cold and dry air.
Warm Compresses: Applying a warm compress to your eyes is effective in relieving eye inflammation and swelling and improving tear flow.
Eye Creams: Applying lotions around the region of the eyes would help eradicate redness and avoid additional dryness.
Consult Experts for Your Eye Problems
When to See a Specialist?
If the symptoms remain the same or become worse, it is the appropriate time to visit an ophthalmologist. Seek professional help if:
Vision Changes: Difficulties with attaining clear vision or experiencing continuous eye strain continue even after implementing the home remedies and over-the-counter medicines.
Severe Redness or Pain: Severe pain in the eyes or continuous redness may indicate an inflammation or another severe disease.
Increased Sensitivity: Painful photophobia, which does not respond to ordinary sunglasses or protective goggles.
Myths and Misconceptions
There are various myths related to cold weather and its effects on the eyes. That is why separating them from the facts is crucial to ensure proper care. Some common myths and the truth behind them are:
Myth: Cold weather only causes dryness and discomfort in the eyes
Fact: Besides the dryness and discomfort, it also causes severe issues such as corneal damage or infections if not treated.
Myth: Wearing sunglasses in winter is unnecessary.
Fact: The fact is the opposite. During winters the ultraviolet rays are quite strong and one can injure his/her eyes once it is reflected from the snow or ice.
Myth: Artificial tears can be overused.
Fact: Although they can be addictive, the occasional use of artificial tears to counter dryness resulting from coldness is harmless.
Special Considerations for Contact Lens Wearers
Contact lens wearers encounter several issues during winter. The combination of dry air, cold wind, and temperature fluctuations can influence the comfort of wearing lenses and eye condition. Here are more details -
Increased Dryness: Cold air and indoor heating dry contact lenses causing irritation and discomfort.
Fogging and Reduced Clarity: Sudden fluctuations in temperature can affect the lenses, thereby causing them to fog up and reduce visibility.
Risk of Infection: Redness and itching are other conditions related to the eyes, which easily infect or irritate them.
Best practices for lens care in winter include -
Use Rewetting Drops: Over-the-counter tear drops contain artificial tears and are used to rewet the lenses so that they do not feel uncomfortable.
Avoid Extended Wear: Avoid wearing contact lenses when exposed to very cold temperatures to prevent dryness in your eyes.
Clean and Disinfect Regularly: Maintain the cleanliness of the lenses. If they are not well-cleaned, bacteria can infect them or even cause them to dry.
Keep Lenses Hydrated: Contact lenses should also be stored in a humid environment when not in use.
Conclusion
Cold weather presents a unique challenge to eye health. Due to the dry weather, the eyes lose their natural moisture, which leads to increased discomfort. However, it is possible to minimise the irritations and prevent complications with a proactive and informed approach. Individuals can maintain optimal ocular health throughout the winter by practising preventive measures like using humidifiers, protective eyewear, and artificial tears and following the right diet and lifestyle choices.
Consult Top Ophthalmologists
Consult Top Ophthalmologists
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Consult Experts for Your Eye Problems
Dr Rajesh Rastogi
Ophthalmologist
33 Years • MBBS, MS Ophthalmology
New Delhi
Rotary Diabetic Centre, New Delhi
Dr. S Venkateswaran
Ophthalmologist
35 Years • MBBS, PGD (OPTHALMOLOGY)
Tiruvannamalai
Shiva Eye And General Hospital, Tiruvannamalai
Dr. V.chittibabu
Ophthalmologist
30 Years • MBBS, MS
Vellore
Krupa Eye Clinic, Vellore
Dr. Sneha T Khurana
Ophthalmologist
9 Years • MBBS, MS Ophthalmology
Gurugram
GS multispeciality clinic, Gurugram
Dr. Harshavardhan Reddy
Ophthalmologist
3 Years • MBBS , MS (Ophthalmology)
Hyderabad
Ram Dev Rao Hospital, Hyderabad
