Why Do My Dry Eyes Get Worse in Winter? (What Can I Do About It?)
Does it seem like your eyes become more irritated, watery, or uncomfortable as soon as the temperatures drop? You're not imagining it!
Winter can be particularly challenging for people with dry eye disease. Between cold outdoor air, indoor heating, and lower humidity, your eyes may struggle to maintain the healthy tear film they need to stay comfortable.
At Allure Eyecare + Aesthetics, we frequently see patients whose dry eye symptoms become more noticeable during the colder months. But here's something many people don't realize: Winter weather may be making an underlying dry eye condition worse, rather than being the only cause of your symptoms.
Let's take a closer look at why this happens and what you can do about it.
Why Does Winter Make Dry Eyes Worse?
Your tears do much more than keep your eyes wet. They create a protective surface that helps maintain clear vision, reduces friction when you blink, and keeps your eyes comfortable.
During winter, several environmental factors can disrupt this delicate balance.
1. Indoor Heating Dries Out the Air
When the furnace kicks on, indoor humidity often drops. This dry environment can cause tears to evaporate more quickly, leaving your eyes feeling gritty, irritated, or tired.
2. Cold Air and Wind Increase Tear Evaporation
Cold, windy conditions can make it difficult for your eyes to maintain a stable tear film. Even a short walk outside may trigger burning, watering, or discomfort.
3. More Screen Time Means Less Blinking
Winter often means spending more time indoors looking at computers, phones, and televisions. When we concentrate on screens, we tend to blink less frequently and may not blink completely.
Since blinking helps distribute tears and release oils from the eyelid glands, reduced blinking can make dry eye symptoms worse.
4. Your Oil Glands May Not Be Working Properly
One of the most common contributors to dry eye disease is meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).
These tiny glands along your eyelids produce the oily layer of your tears, which helps prevent excessive evaporation.
When the glands become obstructed or aren't functioning properly, tears evaporate too quickly. Winter's dry conditions can make this problem even more noticeable.
Are Your Eyes Dry... or Are They Actually Watering?
Here's something that surprises many of our patients: Excessive watering can actually be a symptom of dry eye disease!
When the surface of your eyes becomes irritated or your tear film is unstable, your eyes may respond by producing reflex tears.
Unfortunately, these watery tears don't always provide the lasting protection your eyes need.
Other common symptoms of dry eye include:
Burning, stinging, or gritty sensations
Fluctuating or blurry vision
Redness or irritation
Watery eyes, especially outdoors
Sensitivity to light
Contact lens discomfort
Tired or heavy-feeling eyes
If these symptoms sound familiar, your eyes may be telling you that something more is happening beneath the surface.
Five Ways to Help Your Dry Eyes This Winter
1. Add Moisture to Your Environment
Consider using a humidifier in your bedroom or workspace. Maintaining comfortable indoor humidity can help reduce excessive tear evaporation. Or add a moisture heat mask to your nightly routine before bed. We are a big fan of the Bruder mask that you heat in the microwave for 25 seconds and apply to your eyes for 5-8 minutes.
2. Be Mindful of Heating Vents
Avoid directing warm air from your car heater, furnace, or space heater toward your face. Constant airflow can quickly worsen dryness.
3. Take Breaks From Screens
Practice the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Remember to blink fully and regularly.
4. Choose the Right Artificial Tears
Preservative-free lubricating eye drops may provide temporary relief, particularly if you need to use them frequently. However, not all artificial tears are the same, and certain formulations may be more appropriate depending on your type of dry eye.
5. Have Your Meibomian Glands Evaluated
If you're constantly reaching for eye drops, it may be time to investigate why your eyes aren't staying comfortable.
An evaluation of your tear film, eyelid health, and meibomian glands can help identify underlying contributors to your symptoms.
When Eye Drops Aren't Enough: Advanced Dry Eye Treatments
At Allure Eyecare + Aesthetics, we believe dry eye treatment should go beyond simply masking symptoms.
Our goal is to understand why your eyes are dry and develop a personalized treatment plan based on your specific needs.
Depending on your examination findings, treatment options may include:
OptiLight IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)
OptiLight uses controlled pulses of light applied to the skin around the eyes to help manage dry eye disease associated with meibomian gland dysfunction. It can help address inflammation and improve meibomian gland function in appropriately selected patients.
Radiofrequency (RF) Therapy
Radiofrequency treatments deliver controlled heat to the tissues around the eyelids. They may be used as an adjunctive treatment to support meibomian gland function, although clinical evidence continues to evolve.
Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT)
This noninvasive light-based treatment may help support ocular surface and eyelid health in selected patients. Research into its effectiveness and optimal treatment protocols is ongoing.
Personalized At-Home Care
Depending on your condition, we may also recommend prescription medications, appropriate lid hygiene, warm compresses, or specific lubricating eye drops.
The best approach depends on the underlying cause and severity of your dry eye disease.
Don't Wait Until Your Dry Eyes Become Unbearable
Winter may bring out the worst in your dry eye symptoms, but that doesn't mean you have to spend the season feeling uncomfortable.
If your eyes are constantly burning, watering, or feeling gritty, it may be time to look beyond over-the-counter eye drops.
At Allure Eyecare + Aesthetics in Bloomington, Indiana, we specialize in identifying and treating the underlying causes of dry eye disease using advanced diagnostic technology and individualized treatment plans.
Your eyes deserve to feel comfortable in every season.
Schedule a dry eye evaluation with our team and discover what may be contributing to your symptoms.