Around 16 million Americans suffer from dry eye disease, and experts say it’s even more common to have symptoms during the winter.
Director Dr. Shahzad Mian at the University of Michigan’s Kellogg Eye Center says even something as simple as lowering the heat vents in your car can make a difference by directing dry air away from your eyes.
That can range from scratchy or itchy eyes to a burning feeling. The cold, wind, and dry indoor air can worsen these symptoms.
But doctors say there are treatments available.
“We see a lot of patients who come in the wintertime complaining of having scratchy eyes. They’re burning, tearing, just irritated. This tends to be also much more pronounced when they’re doing more computer work or more screen time because they’re straining their eyes more, not blinking as much,” said Mian.
Mian says there are several options to ease those symptoms.
“Using lubricant eye drops like artificial tears that are over the counter to using treatments for the eyelids, such as heat packs and warm compresses to reduce inflammation.
For patients who have more severe disease, we have prescription eye drops available that help improve tear production as well as reduce inflammation, which may be causing the itchy eyes that make you want to rub your eyes.”
Director Dr. Shahzad Mian at the University of Michigan’s Kellogg Eye Center
Doctors can also prescribe special contact lenses to provide a protective layer on the eye’s surface.
“One of the misconceptions about dry eye disease that you’re just not making enough tears is the only problem and causing all the symptoms. But in fact, for many people, they are making enough tears, but they’re evaporating too quickly because their eyelids are inflamed,” Mian said.
Wearing sunglasses and hats that block the wind can reduce triggers outdoors and indoors.
“Inside, it’s helpful to have humidifiers to increase the moisture in the air. Symptoms are generally better with that as well,” Mian said.
Doctors suggest you don’t just suffer from symptoms if over-the-counter treatments are not working; make an appointment with an eye doctor.
“If it’s not dealt with in a timely manner, they can also develop infections in their eyes or even have vision loss,” Mian said.
Mian says even something as simple as directing your heat vents down in your car can make a difference by directing that dry air away from your eyes.
