Eyes watering from the cold is an experience everyone has in the winter months. But if it is quite simple to explain the causes, is it also possible to avoid excessive tearing in winter? The answer is yes!
Eyes watering from the cold: what to do?
There are many ways to prevent or treat watery eyes, starting from small lifestyle changes to treatments that require a doctor’s prescription. Clinica Baviera experts list the most important:
1. Protect your eyes
Protecting your face with hats or caps helps reduce direct exposure to the cold, while sunglasses protect your eyes from wind and low temperatures. It is important that the sunglasses you wear have UV protection and that they are large and wrap-around to prevent wind from entering through the sides of the lenses. Furthermore, if possible, it is best to try to avoid situations in which you are directly exposed to cold air currents by finding a sheltered place.
2. Maintain a humid environment
Maintaining a cool, humid environment is essential to keeping your eyes hydrated. Using humidifiers helps prevent dry eyes caused by dry winter air.
3. Forcing the eyelids to blink
Forcing your eyes to blink voluntarily helps prevent eye irritation and dryness by allowing the eye to hydrate naturally.
4. Use eye lubricants
Artificial tears or lubricating drops can help keep the surface of the eye hydrated, reducing the sensation of dryness and irritation. They can be applied during the day, when necessary, and also before going out to prevent the consequences of the cold.
5. Avoid contact with allergens
If you suffer from allergies, it is important to stay away from allergens and avoid contact with them. To this end, it is advisable to undergo a test at a medical center to find out exactly what type of allergy you suffer from. There are some measures that can be taken to minimize exposure to allergens and alleviate symptoms, such as: keeping the house clean to reduce the presence of mites and dust; wash clothes in hot water to remove accumulated pollen and do not hang them outdoors; use anti-allergic pillows and mattresses; keep pets clean and brush them regularly to reduce dandruff and excess hair; or check the pollen forecast to avoid periods of high concentration and use masks if necessary when going out. If symptoms persist, they can be relieved with eye drops, antihistamines, corticosteroids or even vaccines. Always consult a specialist to determine the best option depending on the allergy you have.
6. Make correct use of contact lenses
To avoid watery eyes when wearing contact lenses, it is important to use them correctly. Before handling lenses, it is essential to wash your hands with soap and water. Contact lenses must be cleaned and stored correctly, in a clean case with a specific solution. It is advisable to change the liquid and the container regularly and respect the expiry time and date. Furthermore, you should not use them excessively, remove them before taking a shower to avoid the entry of microorganisms and not fall asleep with your lenses still on.
7. Don’t rub your eyes
Rubbing your eyes can be harmful to your health, as it can facilitate the introduction of germs and bacteria that increase the risk of eye infections and can cause minor eye injuries. The almost automatic and inevitable reaction of rubbing your eyes when they itch or water, even when the wind blows something into your eyes, should be avoided as much as possible. It is advisable to tolerate itching and wash your eyes thoroughly with a saline solution. If you need to remove a foreign body, you need to do it very carefully.
8. Avoid eye strain
To avoid eye strain, you should observe regular rest periods, especially if your eyes water from prolonged use of computer screens or cell phones. A good option is the 20-20-20 rule, which involves resting your eyes for 20 seconds every 20 minutes while looking at an object 6 meters away.
9. Stay hydrated
Hydration is essential for overall health, but also for visual health. Drinking water is very useful; when the body has adequate water, it is difficult for the eyes to suffer from dry eyes and tearing.
10. Consult a specialist regularly
Regularly contacting a specialist is the best way to prevent and treat tearing; the doctor will give the most appropriate indications, analyzing the causes and guaranteeing personalized treatment.
READ ALSO: Why do my eyes water more in winter?
Doctor Federico Fiorini, medical director of Clinica Baviera Bologna explains: “The year has just begun and the low temperatures of this period are already evident; the cold, the wind and the low humidity caused by heating in closed environments cause dry eyes and excessive tearing. From Clinica Baviera we invite everyone to follow these few tips so that the eyes do not become irritated and there is no excessive tearing”.
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2024-01-30 13:31:06
#Eyes #watering #cold
