Our eyesight is a critical sense and one we shouldn’t take for granted. Just like other areas of your health, your eyes need to be regularly monitored and cared for. There are a few simple things you can do to ensure you have the best eye health throughout the colder months.
So, what are the risks to eye health in winter?
In the colder months we tend to spend more time indoors with the heating on, this can dry our eyes out and cause irritation and, in some cases, lead to dry eye. Dry eye syndrome develops when there is a disruption in the production of tears – either that they evaporate too quickly or that not enough tears are produced. Plus, while you may think the fresh cold air outside might be good for us, the sudden change in temperature can actually exacerbate any eye irritation.
Sun exposure is also a risk during the winter months. Just because it’s cold doesn’t mean the sun doesn’t have harmful UV rays. It’s recommended that you always wear sunglasses when outside, and in particular, if you’re hitting the slopes.
Winter can also mean colds and illnesses – one of them being viral conjunctivitis. Adults can be prone to viral conjunctivitis if they have come into contact with someone who has a cold or viral infection, or who has been coughing or sneezing, as it is very contagious.
When is it time for an eye test?
Regular eye checks are the most important thing you can do for your eye health throughout the winter. In addition, if you experience any irritation or sudden symptoms, then you should book straight in with your optometrist.
Many people think of an eye test as a check to see if they need glasses or a change to their prescription, but it is much more than that. It’s an important health check that can identify underlying eye diseases or more general health conditions, some of which come with no symptoms until they are in their advanced stages. Early detection of most eye conditions can prevent vision loss and in some cases blindness.
For more information or to book an eye test visit the Specsavers Website
This blog has been provided by Specsavers. (https://www.specsavers.com.au/)