Ideas to help with dry eyes in the colder weather

Many people with glaucoma, particularly if they use eye drops every day, live with dry eye disease. In winter, the cold weather, strong winds and central heating can make dry eyes worse. Here are a few things you can do that may help. These will be helpful any time of the year, but especially in the colder months. This article was originally written two years ago by Helpline Advisor, Patricia Ganszczyk, for Insight magazine.

Using a humidifier

Central heating can cause the air to become dry and stuffy. Using humidifier can help to keep the air moist. These are inexpensive and can be bought in shops or online. There are a range available, including ones designed to hang on the radiator and use the heat from that. Prices vary greatly, so it’s a good idea to shop around.

Protecting your eyes from the cold weather

Wear wraparound glasses when you go out to protect your eyes. These can stop the wind getting to the eyes and causing them to water. If you wear glasses, there are wraparounds that fit over glasses so don’t worry about getting ones with a prescription.

Increasing your dry eye drops

You may find that the number of dry eye drops you use do not soothe your eyes as well as they did in the warmer weather. Try increasing the number of times you use them. If you find an improvement by increasing the number of times you use them, stick to that number each day. You can carry on with this throughout the year if you feel the benefits of doing so.

Heated eye masks

Try using a heated eye mask. The heat from the mask will stimulate the natural oils in the eye and soothe them. You can use them as often as you need to. There are different types available from many pharmacies or online, including ones that you heat in the microwave or others you charge up with a USB lead.

Oily fish and supplements

There is some evidence that eating oily fish two to three times a week may help with dry eye. You can also take omega-3 supplements instead if you’re not really a fish eater.

Keep well hydrated

Try to drink at least six to eight glasses of water a day.

Using a computer or other close vision work

If you use the computer, make sure you have a comfort break every hour. Remember to blink. It may sound silly, but when we concentrate, we forget, so try to remember to blink.

You can also do the 20-20-20 routine. This is when you look away from the screen every 20 minutes and concentrate on something 20 metres away for 20 seconds.

Whether you are on the computer, or even reading a book, always have a comfort break.

Contact lenses

If you normally wear contact lenses, try and have a few days when you don’t wear them and just wear your glasses.

This article was originally published in our membership magazine, Insight. To receive the magazine quarterly, consider becoming a Glaucoma UK member.