The clocks have changed and autumn is in full swing. As the nights start rolling in around 5pm, we’re thinking hard about how to stay fit and healthy during the colder, more wintry months – whether it’s working out the best ways to stay visible while running in the dark or upping our vitamin C intake to ward off bugs. But there’s one aspect of winter season wellness that rarely gets an airing, and that’s eye wellness .
If you’re anything like us, you might possess struggled against blurred, teary vision on cold mornings or suddenly noticed dryness or sensitivity since turning the central heating upon. Our eyes are sensitive – plus arguably never more so than around this time of year.
Nicola Alexander-Cross, optometrist and founder of Peep Club tells Hair stylist : “Eyes are much more prone to streaming or overwatering in the particular colder months because they become more dry. ” She continues, “The reason is that in the colder weeks the air tends to be less humid, so our own eyes are naturally a little bit drier. ”
Then on top associated with that, we tend in order to face windy, harsh weather. “A cold winter breeze wicks away the tears faster, plus tears coat the eyes and are their first line of defence that also causes them to dry out more, ” Alexander-Cross says.
With that mind, we’ve been finding out how to keep eyes moist and happy right through ‘till spring .
six ways to look after your own eyes during the winter
Take care of your tears
“You usually change your moisturiser during winter for the thicker one and the same thing applies to your eye. If a person can feel that your eye are getting quite dry, choose a very gentle spray, like the eye equivalent of an eye moisturiser, ” says Alexander-Cross.
“This is the particular time to be thinking about taking care associated with your holes, ” she explains, adding “popping a humidifier nearby helps get that lost humidity back. Using a hot compress can help, as can avoiding make-up products containing alcohol , fragrance or even loose powder that could irritate your own eyes. ” Instead, look to cream or gel formulas that will be more gentle .
Wear sunglasses
Optometrist Francesca Marchetti from Rohto Dry Aid tells Stylist : “Even though it is getting cooler, get your sunnies out there. Wearing sunglasses can protect eyes from the glare of the sun, which can cause tears to evaporate, as well as shielding them from the particular drying wind. ”
Avoid dry hot air
“Be mindful that will central heating depletes the moisture within the air, ” explains Marchetti. “Avoid sitting too close to radiators and, when in a car, avoid having the heating system vents blowing hot air at your face. ”
Think about your diet
Drinking a lot more water on a daily basis is key, emphasises Alexander-Cross, who adds: “Try to eat as much oily fish as possible to get omega 3 into your own diet. ”
In fact, according to a National Library of Medicine study published in 2006, eating more omega-3 fatty acids was associated with reducing the risk of dry out eye syndrome. By measuring the dietary intake associated with over 32, 000 women, it was found ladies eating at least two servings of tuna weekly had less risk associated with dry eyes than those eating 1 or much less.
Prioritise sleep
Getting enough sleep throughout the winter is essential for vision health. Marchetti explains: “It’s during the particular hours that we are usually resting that our body can repair and recover. That goes for our eye too, as the time they are closed is a period when they aren’t being forced to focus. ” The girl recommends getting seven in order to eight hours of rest a night. “This can allow for cry to become replenished plus eyes to relax. ”
Go with regard to a check-up
It may sound obvious but the best way to obtain eye health advice is to have regular check-ups. “The NHS recommend we visit the opticians every two years for a check-up, ” Marchetti says, before adding it’s advisable in order to visit the optometrist more regularly if you have concerns.
Dry eyes are irritating on lots of levels, so we’ll end up being turning to these simple tips the particular next time period our makeup runs in the blowing wind or all of us feel itchy soreness. And failing all that, as always, seeking an expert option is usually a good idea.
Images: Getty