How many of us honestly think about our eyes as the cold season approaches? We pull out our colorful socks to protect our feet or salvage our favourite cap from the cabinet that keeps the chill away from our ears. But our eyes remain unprotected when they also deserve the same care and warmth as our ears, hands, and feet.
So, as the mercury starts dipping, start prioritizing your eye health. Follow these 5 excellent eye protection tips to safeguard your eyes during cold weather and prolong the underlying health of these vital organs.
Tip 1: Wear UV-protected sunglasses
Yes, it would be best if you had UV-protected sunglasses in the cold season as well. However, they are not simply summer fashion statements. UV light is present in the sun’s rays, and as long as there is daylight, your eyes get exposed to the harmful UV radiations that rain down from the sky.
Invest in branded sunglasses that offer 99-100% UV protection. And buy from reputed opticians where you can trust the UV protection layer in your lenses. The exterior surface of our eyes absorbs 99% of the UV radiation that hits the organs. So naturally, too much exposure can lead to cancerous and non-cancerous growth.
Tip 2: Be sure to get Anti-fog Lenses with Polarized Sunglasses
Although our eyes have a tremendous adjusting capacity to changing light intensities, the sudden blinding effect that glare tends to cause can become threatening. And glare is especially prominent during the chilly months because of the clear skies and shiny metallic and glass objects surrounding us. Blinding glare while driving can lead to road accidents. Plus, continued exposure to frequent glares can compromise our visual strength as time moves ahead.
To prevent glare from affecting your eyes, you should continue wearing your polarized eyeglasses during cold weather. The simple chemical layer can go a long way to protect your retinas and slow down age-related macular degeneration.
And while you are at it, consider anti-fog lenses as well that pair best with polarized sunglasses. The anti-fog layer on the inside of the lenses prevents them from fogging up. You no longer have to worry about those irritating vapors every time you step outside during the cold season. Find the best varieties in your nearest Optica stores, or simply visit the Optica website and order the perfect protective sunglasses online.
Tip 3: Help your eye health internally with a balanced diet
It should not come as a surprise that your diet ultimately decides how healthy your eyes remain internally. For example, if you majorly survive on processed food laden with excessive salt and sugar, the increased blood pressure can cause hemorrhage or internal bleeding in your eyes.
But if you have your vegetables regularly and eat food items that are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, your current visual prowess will stay intact for a long time as you continue to age.
So, take care of your diet during the cold season as well. However, just because the chill makes you gloomy, it does not mean you should forget about your eye health.
Tip 4: Invest in protective eyeglasses if necessary
At times, the chilly weather tends to get dry and windy. And such conditions are not suitable for our eyes as the chilled air tends to evaporate moisture from the surface of our eyes, expose them to dust and other particulate matters, and leave them prone to infections. Eye protection glasses can be excellent investments in such scenarios.
If you already suffer from a condition called dry eyes where your tear glands fail to produce enough moisture, you need protective eyewear that covers your eyes adequately. And if you have healthy eyes that enable you to see perfectly, you need to protect your current health by keeping the cold and damaging air of the cold season away from your eyes.
Tip 5: Be careful about your hygiene
Disease-causing bacteria and viruses love chilly weather. And that is why so many of us suffer from the flu, especially during the cold season. The most essential eye care tip for the cold season is thus to maintain your hygiene. As your eyes will naturally remain dry due to the cold weather, you cannot transfer any virus or bacteria from your hands or towels directly into your eyes.
So, keep washing your hands well with soap whenever possible. Avoid touching your eyes frequently, especially when you are outside. Refrain from sharing your products like eye makeup items or hand towels.
And wash your eyes with warm soapy water once every day. These simple steps will help you maintain your eye health. No matter how harsh the weather becomes, your eyes will stay safe throughout the season.
