As the nights draw in and winter deepens, we may experience some problems with our vision, and find that our eyes need some seasonal care.
Denise Voon MCOptom, Clinical Adviser for The College of Optometrists, has some timely advice to help the public to protect their vision and eye health this winter:
During the winter, we tend to spend more time indoors, which undoubtedly means more screen time – especially for those who are working from home too. Although there is no evidence to suggest increased time on the computer damages your vision, you may find it tiring to look at a monitor for long periods of time.
The College recommends:
During the winter months, you may notice you need to wear your glasses more, especially as you get older. This is because when there is less light available, your pupil expands which reduces the eye’s depth of focus, and means that you notice blurriness. Make sure you have good lighting, for example a lamp near the chair where you sit to read, and that you turn it on as soon as it is getting dark.
Sunglasses aren’t just for summer. Snow and ice are reflective, so the sun’s rays can reach your eyes from below as well as above. The low sun in winter can be dazzling, so wear sunglasses on sunny winter days, particularly when driving.
If you suffer from dry eyes, which may be exacerbated by central heating, lower the temperature in rooms when possible and open windows, even for a few minutes. You can also use a humidifier, or have a bowl of water near the radiator to help humidify the air. Your optometrist or pharmacist will also be able to advise you on suitable moisturising eye drops if you need them.
There is evidence that spending time outdoors could reduce the onset of myopia (short sightedness) in children. So wrap the kids up warm and make sure they have some time playing outside each day.
If you have any issues with your vision, call your optometrist to book an eye examination.
