Winter presents many of us with difficulties with our eye health and our eyesight.
The days are shorter, the roads are wetter and the sun sits lower in the sky. We have our heating on; we are indoors for longer, are more sedentary, and for many of us it is harder to look after our health.
To make sure your eyes are as healthy as possible, unless your optometrist suggests an earlier interval, everyone should have an eye examination with their optometrist every two years.
Conditions such as dry eye and cataract can present challenges in the winter. Cataracts can cause disabling glare from low level sun, difficulty with night vision, glare from headlights and poor contrast making driving at twilight hazardous. Dry eye can be exacerbated with heating and poor diet, excessive screen use and common eyelid infections such as blepharitis.
Safety first: It is important to make sure you are wearing the correct contact lenses or glasses for driving to make sure that your sight is optimal in more challenging situations. Sunglasses for daytime driving, a peaked hat for managing glare from low level sun and antireflection lenses will help manage unwanted discomfort and disorientation from reflections.
Consider an ophthalmologist opinion for cataract removal if you are struggling with glare from low level sun or headlights. You don’t need to wait for your cataracts to be ‘ripe’, if you are getting unwanted symptoms which are making driving difficult or making you nervous about getting behind the wheel in the winter, then that is a good enough reason.
Protection: Winter Sports are fun in the snow and ice, but there is a lot of glare from the brightness in the high mountains and good UV protective ski goggles not only protect you from UV but also from debris that is kicked up by other winter sports enthusiasts. Eye protection is vital for any activity or sport where there is the risk of fast-moving particles or objects – and this includes indoor activities such as DIY.
Dry eyes: Cold winter air can make your eyes water – often a symptom of dry eye. Winter challenges dry eye sufferer with central heating and more sedentary time spent indoors looking at screens. We don’t get out so often – especially if the weather is horrible outside. More and more, people spend time on computers, digital devices and televisions. However, we don’t blink so much when we are using screens, and this causes our tears to evaporate more quickly. This leads to a negative cycle of the cornea drying and the requirement for more tears. Pair this with central heating and the eyes can become very dry indeed. Simple
measures like taking screen breaks every 20 minutes for 20 seconds, using humidifiers and using preservative free lubricant eye drops can help. Contact lenses also dry out in these conditions more easily, so keeping them very clean, managing wearing time and giving your eyes a rest is essential. If you are unhappy with using contact lenses, you might want to consider a more permanent solution than contact lenses and speak to our specialist ophthalmologists about refractive lens exchange (RLE).
Self-Care for eyes in the winter:
Keeping yourself well nourished, well rested and healthy all contribute to better eye health. Rest and sleep, keeping eyes clean, managing blepharitis and using warm eye compresses help to keep your eyes less prone to dryness and infection and feeling comfortable too. Keeping yourself well nourished, hydrated, well rested and healthy all contribute to better eye health.
Diet and exercise are good for you and for your eyes. Eating a good variety of colourful fruit and vegetables gives us the essential vitamins needed for good vision and exercise helps us with oxygen exchange and cardiovascular health which can also impact on eyes. Eyes need vitamin A, B2, C, E, Omega 3-fatty acids, zinc, lutein and zeaxanthin. Top foods for eyes are leafy greens, colourful vegetables and fruits, oily fish and liver.
Looking after your cardiovascular health is important for eyes too. Exercise helps us with oxygen exchange, improves our cardiovascular health and helps to prevent associated eye disease. Smoking irritates dry eyes and is a known contributing factor to increasing the risk of cardiac and vascular eye diseases, including macula degeneration. Cutting down on cigarettes and preferably cessation is important for keeping your eyes healthy.
How can Sapphire Eye Care help you with your eye health?
Given the challenges our eyes face every day, Sapphire is here to help you with your eye health journey in several ways.
E Clinic – our specialist Sapphire Optometrist can spend time with you in a FREE e-consult to discuss any concerns you have about your eyes and can direct you to the most appropriate treatment for your concerns.
Ophthalmology – our dedicated team of specialist surgeons and ophthalmic nurses offer you bespoke care for your cataracts, refractive lens exchange, vitrectomy (floaters and macular hole), retinal concerns, glaucoma and dry eye, lacrimal drainage issues and all eyelid surgeries.
Frequently asked questions
Why do my eyes feel drier during winter?
Cold weather, central heating, and increased screen time can cause tears to evaporate more quickly, leading to dry, irritated, or watery eyes.
How can I relieve dry eyes during winter?
Take regular screen breaks using the 20-20-20 rule, use preservative-free lubricating eye drops, stay hydrated, use a humidifier, and give your eyes a break from contact lenses when needed.
Can winter conditions make driving more difficult?
Yes. The low winter sun, wet roads, and reduced daylight can create glare and reduce visibility. Wearing the correct prescription glasses, anti-reflective lenses, and sunglasses during the day can help improve driving safety.
How do cataracts affect vision in winter?
Cataracts can increase glare from the low sun and headlights, reduce night vision, and make driving in winter more challenging. If these symptoms affect your daily life, it may be time to seek specialist advice.
How often should I have an eye examination?
Unless your optometrist recommends otherwise, you should have a comprehensive eye examination every two years to help maintain good eye health and detect problems early.
How can I protect my eyes during winter activities?
Wear UV-protective ski goggles for winter sports and appropriate eye protection during activities such as DIY or any task where flying particles could cause eye injuries.
What lifestyle habits support healthy eyes during winter?
A healthy diet rich in leafy greens, colourful fruits and vegetables, oily fish, regular exercise, staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, and avoiding smoking all help support long-term eye health.
How can Sapphire Eye Care help with winter eye problems?
Sapphire Eye Care offers free e-consults with specialist optometrists and expert treatment for cataracts, dry eye, glaucoma, retinal conditions, refractive lens exchange (RLE), eyelid surgery, and other eye conditions.
Medically reviewed by Andre Litwin
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon.
Medically Reviewed, July 2026
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