How to Protect Your Eyes During Cold Weather

Protecting your vision during these months is just as vital as during the summer.

Here are some simple, yet effective, ways to keep your eyes safe and healthy this winter.

Even on cloudy winter days, your eyes are at risk from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Snow is a hidden threat: it reflects up to 80% of sunlight, which can be more harmful to your eyes than water reflections (which are around 65%).

So, if you're lucky enough to be enjoying an extended winter walk in the snow, do take sunglasses to help protect your eyes.

Cold winds, winter dry air, and indoor heating, can leave your eyes feeling sore, gritty, and uncomfortable. Long hours in front of a computer screen only makes it worse, leading to dry eye irritation.

To help combat this:

• Turn down the heating where possible
• Stay hydrated
• Avoid direct airflow from hot air heaters blowing into your face

These simple steps will help keep your eyes comfortable, even on the chilliest days. 

Winter often means more time indoors, and that usually means more screen time. Whether it’s working on your laptop, scrolling through social media, or watching TV, prolonged use of digital devices can lead to eye strain.

When we look at screens, we blink less, causing our eyes to dry out and become irritated. To reduce strain, remember the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away (about the length of a bus stop) for at least 20 seconds.

This simple habit can help reduce digital eye strain, keep your eyes feeling fresh, and protect your vision in the long run.

Winter is also the season for cold and flu, and unfortunately, it’s also when conditions like conjunctivitis also known as ‘pink eye’ are more common. Conjunctivitis is highly contagious and can spread quickly through contact with infected surfaces.

To avoid infection:

• Wash your hands frequently
• Avoid touching your eyes, especially if you’ve been in public spaces
• If you suspect you have conjunctivitis, see your GP for treatment

Taking these precautions can help protect your eyes – and those around you – from harmful infections. 

The best way to protect your eyes year-round is by staying proactive. Make sure to schedule regular appointments with your local optician, especially in the winter months. They can detect early signs of problems such as dry eye or even more serious conditions, often before you notice any symptoms.

Your local optician can also provide preventive care and advice tailored to your specific needs, ensuring your eyes stay healthy all year long.

Winter may be a time for cosying up inside, but don’t let your eyes suffer in the process. By taking simple steps to protect your eyes from the cold, digital strain, and infections, you can ensure your vision stays clear, comfortable, and healthy.

In the UK, we are fortunate to have quick and easy access to eye care services, whether it’s for dry eyes, digital strain, or more serious conditions like cataracts. However, in countries like Bangladesh, Mongolia and Ethiopia this is not the reality. Many people suffer from preventable vision problems due to a lack of resources and access to proper eye care.  

We are urgently working to change this, striving to end avoidable blindness and provide vital support to those in need. But we can’t do it alone. Your help is crucial in allowing us to continue our mission and bring essential eye care to those who need it most.  

Together, we can make a difference – help us ensure no one has to live with preventable blindness.