Dry Eyes in Winter: Causes, Symptoms, and How to Find Relief

What is Dry Eye Syndrome?

Most of us don’t give much thought to our eyes—until discomfort sets in. Our eyes are highly complex organs that do more than provide vision; they also have built-in protective systems that help maintain moisture and prevent irritation. One of the most important of these is the tear film, a thin layer of moisture that keeps the eyes hydrated and shields them from dust and debris.

A healthy tear film is composed of three key layers: a mucous layer that helps tears spread evenly over the eye, an aqueous layer that delivers hydration, and an outer lipid layer that prevents rapid evaporation. The meibomian and lacrimal glands regulate this delicate balance, ensuring that the eyes stay lubricated. However, when something disrupts this system—whether due to environmental factors, aging, or underlying health conditions—the tear film becomes unstable, leading to dry eye syndrome.

One of the most surprising symptoms of dry eye is excessive tearing. When the tear film begins to break down, the body reacts by producing more tears. However, these tears lack the essential oils needed to stay on the eye’s surface, causing them to evaporate too quickly and leaving the eyes just as dry and irritated as before.

Dry eye can be triggered by a range of factors, including seasonal weather shifts, wind exposure, smoke, airborne pollutants, and medical conditions such as ocular rosacea or autoimmune disorders. Identifying what’s causing your dry eye is the first step toward finding effective treatment and lasting relief.

Symptoms include:

• A persistent itching or burning sensation 

• Red eyes 

• Excessive watering 

• Blurred vision 

• The presence of stringy mucous 

• A feeling of eye fatigue or strain 

Why Do Dry Eyes Worsen in the Winter?

Winter weather creates the perfect conditions for dry eye, as both outdoor and indoor environments contribute to increased irritation and moisture loss. The combination of colder temperatures, wind exposure, and indoor heating makes winter one of the most challenging seasons for maintaining eye comfort.

Low Humidity

Cold air naturally holds less moisture than warm air, leading to significantly lower humidity levels in the winter months. When the surrounding air is dry, it pulls moisture from anything it can—including your eyes. This accelerates the evaporation of the tear film, which is responsible for keeping your eyes lubricated. As a result, your eyes may feel dry, irritated, and more prone to discomfort. 

Harsh Winter Winds

Winter is not only dry, but also windy. Much like standing in front of a fan or riding in an open vehicle without eye protection, exposure to strong, cold winds can quickly strip away the moisture from your tear film. This can leave your eyes feeling scratchy, watery, and irritated, worsening dry eye symptoms with every gust of wind. 

Indoor Heating

As temperatures drop, heating systems work overtime to keep homes, offices, and cars warm. Unfortunately, indoor heating drastically reduces humidity levels, creating another dry environment for your eyes to battle. Just as your skin feels drier in heated indoor spaces, your eyes also lose moisture more quickly, making dry eye symptoms even more noticeable while you're inside. 

More Screen Time, Less Blinking

Winter often means spending more time indoors, leading to increased screen use for work, entertainment, and social media. Whether it’s remote work, binge-watching a new series (like 70% of Americans!), or scrolling through your phone, prolonged screen exposure contributes to dry eye. When staring at digital screens, people naturally blink less, reducing the amount of lubrication their eyes receive. Combined with dry indoor air, this results in fatigued, irritated, and strained eyes throughout the season. 

How to Protect Your Eyes from Winter Dryness

While winter dry eye is a common seasonal issue, the good news is that it can often be managed with simple changes to your daily routine. From increasing indoor humidity to using artificial tears, these strategies can help keep your eyes hydrated and comfortable throughout the colder months. 

Use a Humidifier

One of the most effective ways to reduce dry eye symptoms in winter is by using a humidifier. Cold air holds less moisture, and indoor heating systems make things worse by further reducing humidity levels. This dry environment speeds up tear evaporation, leading to irritation and discomfort. A humidifier replenishes moisture in the air, helping to create a more comfortable atmosphere for your eyes. Running one in your home or office can significantly relieve dry eye symptoms and improve overall eye health during the winter. 

Wear Sunglasses Outside

Sunglasses aren’t just for summertime—they’re an essential tool for protecting your eyes in winter, too. They help block harsh winds that can quickly strip moisture from your tear film, reducing irritation and discomfort when you’re outside.

Additionally, sunglasses provide critical protection against photokeratitis, or snow blindness. Snow and ice reflect a significant amount of UV radiation, which can harm your eyes over time. Wearing sunglasses with 100% UVA and UVB protection helps prevent glare sensitivity and shields your eyes from potential long-term damage. 

Apply a Warm Compress

Your eyelids contain tiny glands, known as meibomian glands, that produce oils essential for maintaining a stable tear film. When these glands become blocked or underperform, tears evaporate too quickly, leading to dryness and irritation.

A warm compress can help stimulate these glands and improve tear quality. Simply soak a clean washcloth in warm (not hot) water, gently place it over your closed eyes, and relax for about 10 minutes. This soothing practice can help improve moisture retention and provide much-needed relief from winter dryness. 

Remember to Blink More Often

Blinking is a natural way to refresh and spread tears across the eye’s surface. However, when focusing on digital screens—whether for work, entertainment, or social media—people tend to blink far less frequently. This reduced blinking rate leads to increased tear evaporation and worsens dry eye symptoms.

To maintain proper eye lubrication, try following the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and focus on something at least 20 feet away. This habit encourages blinking, minimizes eye strain, and keeps your tear film replenished during long hours of screen time. 

Use Artificial Tears

If your eyes still feel dry and irritated despite these adjustments, over-the-counter artificial tears can provide quick relief. Lubricating eye drops, such as Systane or Refresh, help supplement your natural tear film and keep your eyes hydrated. Keeping a bottle on hand during the winter months can be an easy and effective way to manage dryness and maintain eye comfort throughout the day.

When to See an Eye Doctor for Dry Eye

For most people, simple lifestyle adjustments and at-home remedies can effectively manage winter dry eye, providing much-needed relief from seasonal discomfort. However, if your symptoms persist despite increasing humidity, using artificial tears, and taking frequent breaks from screens, it may be time to seek professional care.

If your eyes remain consistently dry, irritated, or excessively watery even after making these changes, an eye doctor can assess the root cause of your symptoms and recommend specialized treatment options to restore your comfort. Additionally, if you experience sharp pain, extreme light sensitivity, or a sudden decline in vision, schedule an eye exam as soon as possible. These symptoms may signal a more serious eye condition that requires prompt medical attention to prevent long-term complications.

See your eye doctor if you experience:

• Continuing symptoms of dry eye after trying at-home treatments 

• Worsening symptoms, including red, swollen eyes 

• Sharp or extreme pain 

• A sudden drop in vision 

Relieve Symptoms of Dry Eyes in Winter with Nationwide Vision

Winter brings crisp air, festive celebrations, and stunning seasonal scenery, but for many, it also brings the discomfort of dry, irritated eyes. Instead of spending the season battling redness, itchiness, and excessive tearing, you deserve to enjoy winter with clear, comfortable vision. If you frequently experience dryness or irritation as the temperatures drop, you may be dealing with winter dry eye.

Fortunately, most cases of winter dry eye can be managed with simple at-home treatments and minor lifestyle changes. However, if your symptoms persist or worsen, Nationwide Vision is here to help. Our expert eye care team specializes in diagnosing and treating dry eye, providing tailored solutions to restore comfort and protect your vision all season long.

Don’t let dry eyes take the joy out of winter—schedule an appointment with Nationwide Vision today!

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