When the temperature falls under freezing we’re quick to cover up as much as you do. In the end, it goes without mentioning that the less exposed your body is to the elements, the warmer you’ll be.
In most the winters, until we’re completely covered up (except our eyes) with layers on one another, we pack from winter jackets to earmuffs. Now it’s fine to battle the cold?
In my opinion, only protecting your bodies with heavy cardigans and quilts is not enough. It’s crucial to protect your eyes from the cold too.
Cold Temperature On Your Own Eyes
If you’re an American, then you may not be a stranger to its chilly and cold temperatures. Trust us when we tell you that cold weather can affect us with many eyesight problems such as inflammation, pain, and sunburns (yes, actually!)
Vision Issues
Blisteringly chilly cold temperatures can cause the blood vessels within our eyes to constrict or freeze our cornea. This process, as we are sure you have imagined, may undermine clarity and is quite painful.
When this happens, double vision, blurred vision, and/or lack of eyesight are some of the probable after-effects. It can be treated by bringing the eyes back to standard atmospheric temperature. In intense instances, proper medication from ophthalmologists may be asked to restore moisture.
Pain and Inflammation
On top of the pain caused by a frozen cornea, additional pain could be associated with the chilly weather. The eye disorder of dry eye can be caused due to the combination of a winter breeze along with freezing cold weather.
This condition might cause the eyes to become red and swollen and is very uncomfortable. In cases that are acute dry eye could lead to permanent harm.
Sunburn
We understand what you are thinking: Sunburn? In winter?
In contrast to popular belief, UV is more widespread than the summer as a result of reflection of the sun’s harmful rays off the snow and ice.
Even in cold temperatures and overcast times the need for UV protection exists. Without proper protection, you can suffer from sunburn to your own eye.
How to Guard Your Eyes In Winters?
Now that we’ve brought your attention to affect that extreme weather may have on your eyes, let’s discuss how you can protect them. The best method to safeguard your eyes when going outdoors in winter winds or extreme temperatures is a protective headgear or eyeglasses.
Glasses and goggles help in avoiding the unpleasant conditions shielding them from the wind. They act as a barrier between your eyes and the harsh weather. Always make sure you’re wearing UV-blocking sunglasses or goggles during the afternoon to prevent photokeratitis (sunburn of the eye).
How important it is to guard your eyes is completely your choice. If you think you haven’t done so before and have been nice, you might decide to ignore our advice (which we certainly don’t recommend).
If you would like to continue to keep your eyes as healthy as possible, buy yourself a set of sunglasses or goggles than later.