Posted on: Jan 29 2015
By: admin
With the cold winter weather finally here, you’re much more likely to be thinking about staying warm than paying attention to your eye health. While eye protection is common in the summer, many fail to realize that UV exposure is just as dangerous in the winter months. In fact, a study published in Archives of Dermatology determined that out of thousands of skiers and snowboarders, most of them only took occasional precautions against the sun. Learn about some of the ways you can protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays this winter.
Winter Eye Safety Tips
Wear protective eyewear. You may not realize it, but snow and ice can reflect up to 80% of the sun’s harmful UV rays, leaving you increasingly susceptible to photokeratitis (snow blindness), lesions, tumors and cataracts. If you’re planning on going skiing, snowboarding or just simply spending time outdoors this winter, make sure to use goggles or sunglasses that offer 99 to 100% UV protection. If it’s bright outside, a hat or visor with a brim can also help keep your eyes safe.
Keep your eyes moist. The cold winter weather and indoor heat can both cause dryness and irritation of the eyes, which can be a major source of discomfort for many. Luckily, there are a number of steps you can take to keep your eyes moist in the winter months. A humidifier can help to keep moisture in the air, and artificial tears offer another way to help eliminate dryness. Certain medications may also dry your eyes out, so make sure to talk to with your doctor to discuss any possible alternatives or ways to keep your eyes moist. Protective eyewear can also help you avoid dry eye, so make sure you’re using sunglasses or goggles when outside.
Make sure you’re protecting children’s eyes. Adults aren’t the only ones susceptible to eye damage caused by UV radiation. While the same eye health precautions can be taken for both adults and children, it can be more difficult to make sure children are actually following instructions and wearing goggles or sunglasses like they should be. Children also grow quickly, so it’s important to make sure you’re replacing sunglasses and goggles as they outgrow them.
Interested in Learning More about Winter Eye Safety? Contact Dr. Stefano Today.
For more information about how to keep your eyes safe, contact us today and schedule an appointment. Our offices are located in Winchester, serving Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland, and you can reach us directly at (540) 722-6200. We look forward to hearing from you!
Tagged with: Eye HealthPosted in: Eye Health
