Protecting Your Eyes This Winter

What you need to know

Alberta’s winter season brings not only breathtaking snowy landscapes but also a unique set of challenges for eye health. Whether on the slopes, playing pond hockey, or enjoying a snowball fight, your eyes are exposed to UV rays, cold winds, and dry air. At Capital Vision Care, we want to ensure you fully enjoy winter while still protecting your eyes. Here are four essential tips for eye safety this winter.

Guard Against UV Rays

UV rays are strong year-round, and it’s no different when reflecting off snow. Our optometrist, Dr. Taylor Parenteau explains, “In Canada, the snow can reflect up to 80% of ultraviolet rays. Prolonged exposure to UV light increases the risk of eye conditions such as cataracts, macular degeneration, and photokeratitis (eye sunburn!), making it essential to wear proper eyewear protection, even on cloudy or overcast days.” Quality sunglasses or goggles with 100% UVA/UVB protection are essential for eye safety by preventing UV damage and reducing glare. She continues, “eyewear brands like Maui Jim offer excellent UV protection and polarization which provides an additional level of protection by reducing the harmful light waves that enter the eyes.”

Wear Protective Eyewear

For winter sports like snowboarding or hockey, choose goggles that shield your eyes from debris, wind, and UV rays. Polarized lenses can improve visibility by reducing glare, enhancing contrast, and helping you navigate snowy terrain or icy patches. Dr. Ruby Mangat says, “For Alberta’s winter conditions, investing in a pair of polarized sunglasses is recommended. These sunglasses benefit patients by helping block rays directly from the sun, and horizontal light reflected off snowbanks and icy roads, resulting in a brighter, clearer field of view and shielding the eye from any flying debris that may cause corneal abrasions.” She adds, “Snow blindness can result from ineffective eye protection with symptoms including redness, itchiness, blurred vision, and eye pain.”

Combat Dry Eyes

Protecting your eyes from the winter air is also essential for winter eye safety. Cold, dry air can lead to dry eye symptoms, especially when moving between heated indoors and the outdoor chill. A humidifier indoors helps maintain moisture, and avoiding direct heat from car vents when driving can help prevent dryness. Consider using eye drops for comfort during long days outside. Dr. Parenteau recommends “choosing artificial tear drops that mimic the natural composition of your tears, particularly those with a thicker, lubricating formula.. Look for preservative-free options for frequent use, as they are gentler on the eyes, and choose eye drops that contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid (iDrop Pur) or lipids (Systane Complete) for enhanced hydration and protection against further moisture loss.”

Stay Hydrated and Blink Often

In the winter, we often drink less water as we are not combatting heat or necessarily being as active, but it is still vital to hydrate. Dr. Mangat recommends, “Everyone should drink more water than you normally would, as staying hydrated helps maintain eye moisture to combat the dry winter air.” Our doctors also recommend blinking more frequently, especially outdoors, as it spreads tears over your eyes and prevents irritation. “Each time we blink, important oils are released from the meibomian glands in our eyelids,” says Dr. Parenteau, “We can help ensure that we have good oil quantity and quality by incorporating omega-3 fatty acids into our diets, like those found in fish, flaxseed, or supplements.”

Winter in Alberta is a time for adventure, and with a few simple habits, you can enjoy the season while protecting your eyes. Above are some general tips and tricks for eye safety and maintaining happy, healthy eyes during the winter months from our optometrists, Dr. Parenteau and Dr. Mangat, “however,” they caution, “each pair of eyes is unique and may have different needs.” Visiting us at Capital Vision Care, where you can receive your comprehensive routine eye exam, specialized care for dry eye and any other eye health concerns, is the best start to keeping your eyes healthy this winter. Let’s keep your vision clear and your eyes safe so you can make the most of this beautiful season.