Can the Weather Cause Dry Eye?
October 9, 2024
Do your eyes feel drier as the seasons change and the temperature drops? Have you begun noticing other dry eye symptoms like grittiness, burning, and redness as summer turns into fall?
Seasonal changes in the weather could be the cause of dry eye. The weather can significantly contribute to the onset of dry eye and the worsening of symptoms. Keep reading to find out if the weather can cause dry eye symptoms and what this could mean for your eyes!
What is Dry Eye?
Dry eye occurs when the eyes do not produce enough tears, or those produced are low-quality tears. It can be caused by external factors, like the weather or looking at a computer screen for too long, or by problems with the structures of the eye like blocked drainage ducts and eye gland disorders.
Healthy tears consist of three layers: oil, water, and mucus. These three layers work together to keep the eye moist, protect it from irritants, and keep the surface smooth, ensuring clear vision.
The meibomian glands are another structure of the eye that contributes to healthy tears. The meibomian glands are located in the eyelids and produce an oily substance that prevents the water in tears from evaporating.
How Does the Weather Affect Dry Eye?
Several weather-related factors can cause dry eye, including:
Cold Weather
Cold weather, particularly in winter, is a well-known cause of dry eye. Cold air generally has lower humidity and is lacking in moisture.
When the eyes are exposed to cold, dry air, moisture on the eye's surface evaporates more quickly. If there is not enough moisture on the surface of the eye, this can lead to dryness and irritation.
Additionally, home heating systems often produce dry air and reduce indoor humidity levels. The combination of cold air outside and dry air inside enables dry eye symptoms to develop or worsen.
Many people experience more severe dry eye in winter than in summer.
Windy Conditions
Wind can directly and immediately affect moisture levels in your eyes, regardless of the season. Wind increases your tear evaporation rate, causing your eyes to become more dry more quickly.
Even brief exposure to windy conditions can affect moisture levels in your eyes, leaving them more vulnerable to irritation, foreign bodies, particles, and discomfort. Windy conditions are particularly triggering for people who already suffer from dry eyes, as it can be challenging for their eyes to compensate for the increased evaporation.
If it's more windy outside, you may notice your eyes watering or tearing to compensate for a lack of moisture in the environment.
Hot, Dry Climates
Hot, dry climates, like those found in desert regions or areas of high elevation, can also cause dry eye. The air in these environments is usually deficient in moisture, causing tears to evaporate faster. When tears cannot stay on the surface of the eye, proper nutrients cannot be delivered through them.
High temperatures and low humidity can cause dry eye symptoms like burning and stickiness. Prolonged exposure to hot, dry weather conditions may lead to chronic dry eye problems that can be harder to treat effectively.
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Air Conditioning
Although air conditioning is not technically a kind of "weather," it is used everywhere to deal with high temperatures, sometimes year-round, and can contribute to dry eye. Air conditioning systems cool the air and remove moisture, leading to lower indoor humidity levels.
Extended exposure to air-conditioned environments can make your eyes too dry, causing them to struggle to produce enough tears to keep the eyes moist. This can be particularly problematic in air-conditioned offices where people often blink less as they spend their workday staring at a computer screen.
High Altitudes
High altitudes present unique challenges to keeping your eyes healthy, including an increased risk of dry eye. The air is thinner at higher altitudes and contains less moisture, leading to faster tear evaporation and drier eyes.
Spending time or living in an area of high altitudes can also increase exposure to intense UV light from the sun. Overexposure to UV light can cause eye damage, worsening dry eye symptoms.
Pollution and Allergens
Regional weather patterns can influence the concentration of pollutants and allergens in the air, both of which can trigger dry eye. For example, a hot day can raise smog levels, leading to higher levels of airborne irritants that cause dry eye.
Similarly, pollen counts often soar during certain seasons, triggering allergic reactions that may include dry, itchy, or watery eyes. While allergens can increase tear production, the tears produced are generally of lower quality and ineffective at keeping your eyes lubricated.
Managing Weather-Related Dry Eye
Because the weather can cause dry eyes, protecting the eyes from the elements is essential. Here are some of the best ways to prevent weather-related dry eye:
Wear Protective Sunglasses
Wearing wraparound sunglasses that block 100% of UV light is one of the best ways to shield the eyes from damaging sunlight and irritating wind gusts. Sunglasses are an excellent way to keep particles or dust from getting in your eyes and irritating them further if they are already dry.
Maintain Indoor Humidity
Using a humidifier at home and in the office can help maintain healthy indoor humidity levels, particularly in highly air-conditioned or heated environments. Consider using a humidifier where you spend the most time, like in your bedroom or living room.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking water throughout the day can boost eye moisture levels, promote tear production, and prevent dryness. You can also incorporate water into your diet by eating more fruits and vegetables, consuming more salads, and having more soup.
Use Artificial Tears and Lubricating Eye Drops
Both artificial tears and lubricating eye drops help keep the eyes moist and comfortable, especially during prolonged exposure to harsh weather conditions.
Understanding how the weather can affect the eyes and taking protective measures lessen its impact and relieve dry eye. When you are proactive about protecting your eyes from weather-related causes of dry eye, you can maintain both the health and comfort of your vision in all conditions!
Are you ready to take control of your dry eyes? Schedule an appointment at Eyes of York in York, PA, to learn more! Why wait for the relief you need?