Contact lenses can cause you to cry if you are wearing them. “It’s a Wonderful Life”You may be a little teary eyed when indoor heating or winter weather hits.
Winter months can be harsh for eyes due to dry indoor conditions, outdoor temperatures that are below freezing and indoor allergens. Winter can be downright unpleasant when you add contact lenses to the mix.
However, you don’t have your contacts stored away until spring. Here are some tips for keeping your eyes and contacts healthy and comfortable throughout winter.
Sunglasses are a must! Shades are not just for summer. The sun’s rays bounce off snow and ice creating a bright environment which can damage retinas. As we age, our eyes can become more sensitive to UV rays. It’s important that you protect your eyes as soon as possible. Opt for lenses that block 99-100 percent of UVA/UVB rays.
To protect their eyes from the glare of winter sports, winter sport enthusiasts should invest in polycarbonate goggles. These goggles help to block the cold and drying wind from your eyes.
– Use eye drops. Indoor heating can evaporate moisture from the atmosphere, drying contacts. Keep your eyes lubricated by using rewetting drops that are single-use. If you don’t use rewetting drops, you might want to reduce the time you spend with contacts. If this is not possible, you can take steps to ensure that your contacts are kept clean and disinfected daily. This will aid in the natural process where tears moisturize contacts.
One company, Best Health, Inc. (www.lenscomfort.net), has developed the LensComfort Ultrasonic Cleaning, Disinfecting and Storage Unit, which uses ultrasound waves to boost the disinfecting and cleaning power of LensComfort Contact Lens Cleaning, Disinfecting & Storage Solution. The unit is capable of removing proteins, oils, and debris from disposable and specialty gas-permeable contact lenses. It takes just 15 minutes.
Invest in a humidifier. Use a humidifier to keep your bedroom moist. The humidifier will help to reintroduce moisture in the air, which can reduce irritation. It is important to stay hydrated. Avoid alcoholic beverages that can dry out your eyes.
