Have you ever wondered why your eyes start to constantly water once winter hits?
Maybe your eyes are extra red and making you self-conscious. Or perhaps your eyes feel dry and gritty and you are always rubbing them. All of these are common symptoms of dry eye, a common condition that is affecting more and more people.
You may have been told you have dry eye disease by a doctor in the past, or this could be the first time you are hearing about this disease and its link to the symptoms you may be experiencing.
Here are four reasons your eyes start to misbehave around the holidays–and things you can do to find relief!
Problem 1: As soon as it gets cold out and you flip on the heat, you notice your eyes are drier than they used to be, making the days less enjoyable.
Try this: Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air. The more humidity, the more comfortable and less symptomatic your eyes will feel.
Problem 2: You notice your dry-eye symptoms are more uncomfortable after holiday get togethers.
Try this: Enjoy treats and sweets–which can be very inflammatory for dry eye symptoms–in moderation. Avoid processed sugars and desserts containing gluten when you can.
Problem 3: You get home for the holidays after a long flight or car ride, only to notice that your eyes feel “gritty” and uncomfortable.
Try this: Airplanes, trains, and cars are eye-drying environments. Being out of your self-care routine makes it easy to forego standard dry-eye maintenance activities. Make sure you’re prepared by bringing a portable warm compress and high-quality, preservative-free artificial tears, and ensuring you’re avoiding direct heat sources, such as plane overhead air vents, as possible.
Problem 4: Stress around holiday shopping, visiting family, and preparing for parties exacerbates your dry-eye symptoms
Try this: Try to find time to prioritize mental health with exercise, meditation, or simply doing an activity you enjoy for a little bit each day. Dry eye symptoms and stress often go hand in hand, so make sure you’re finding time to relax and recharge during a busy holiday season.
Problem 5: You keep crying at Hallmark holiday movies, even though you guessed the ending in the first 15 minutes of the movie.
Try This: Overdoing screen time (TV, computer, phone, etc.) can make dry eye symptoms worse. Give your eyes a break by switching up activities and taking a break from tech.
While these tips will help stop dry eye symptoms from putting a damper on your holiday celebrations, it’s important to know dry eye disease does not go away–and ignoring symptoms means your eyes will continue to get even worse.
Specialty clinics like Dry Eye Spa of West Michigan are devoted solely to the treatment of dry eye disease. Our goal is to help you get back to doing the things you enjoy most, free from the discomfort and irritation dry eye disease can bring.