I have always been in pretty good health, so I was surprised one day when my doctor told me my blood pressure was a bit high. She told me to begin watching my salt intake, start exercising, and to try to relax. Well, I intended to follow her advice when I left her office, but the next day I was back to my same habits. I kept using the salt shaker and didn't begin an exercise routine like I had planned. When I went for my next check-up, she told me that my blood pressure was even higher and approaching a dangerous level. I had to begin a blood pressure medication to manage it. I wanted to create a blog to share my story and remind people to listen to their doctors' advice. If a few lifestyle changes can improve your health, then you should make them.
Winter weather can take a toll on the overall condition of your eyes. Many people fail to realize the need for additional eye protection during the winter months. In order to appreciate the importance of winter eye care, you must become familiar with the many ways in which winter weather can affect your eyes.
1. Dry Heat
If you live in a cold climate, you probably turn up the thermostat on your heater when outdoor temperatures dip. Furnaces create a type of dry heat that can keep your home warm but will wreak havoc on your eyes.
A lot of people notice that they start to suffer from a condition called dry eye during the winter months. Dry eye is caused by prolonged exposure to dry heat. Adding a humidifier to your home can help prevent dry eye, and using rewetting drops can also help you keep your eyes hydrated.
If a humidifier and over-the-counter eye drops aren't enough to prevent your eyes from drying out, you will need to visit your eye doctor to obtain prescription moisturizing drops.
2. Impact Injury
The winter months typically bring a lot of snow. While it can be fun to play in the snow, many cold-weather activities can pose a serious risk to your eyes. A poorly aimed snowball or flying debris while skiing and snowboarding could cause an impact injury to your eye.
It's important that you wear the right protective gear at all times when engaged in winter activities. Your eye doctor can help you identify some quality goggles or glasses that will maximize your protection against eye injuries this winter.
3. UV Exposure
Exposure to the sun's UV rays can be damaging to your eyes. UV exposure is usually associated with summer, but your exposure to UV rays is actually more intense during the winter. This is because UV rays are reflected off the surface of snow and ice. Cloudy and overcast winter days can also be deceiving. The light coming from the sun may be obscured, but UV rays still penetrate cloud cover.
Prolonged exposure to UV rays in winter can lead to macular degeneration or the development of cataracts. Some people can even experience snow blindness. You must wear protective sunglasses when you are outdoors during the winter to protect your eyes. Your eye doctor can recommend sunglasses that block all UV rays and contain lenses that meet ANSI Z80.3 blocking requirements.
Contact your eye doctor to learn more.
Share12 December 2022
