Winter Health Tips for Your Eyes

In Alabama, we enjoy mild winters. But that doesn’t mean the winter doesn’t throw things our way from time to time. Cold temperatures, storms, dry air and sunshine are some of the things that may affect your eyes over the winter months. Please read below to learn more. If you have any questions about your eye health or want to schedule a consultation with Dr. Christopher Walton in Mobile, please call us at 251-341-3385.

Keep Wearing Sunglasses

Even though the sun feels less intense in the winter, keep wearing those shades! Unprotected exposure to UV rays, in any season of the year, increases the risk of developing¹:

• Cataracts
• Snow blindness
• Macular degeneration
• Growths on the eye

Rays are especially harmful at midday. Be aware that UV rays pose the same risks in the winter, and they can be harmful on both sunny and cloudy days.

Dealing with Dry Eyes

Winter is accompanied by greater dryness in the air, both inside our homes and outside. Inside buildings, heating systems cause the air to be dry, while outside it is the cold temperatures themselves that cause dryness. A humidifier indoors can help keep the air moist. Lubricating eye drops are another option.

If You Travel for Skiing or Snowboarding

UV exposure increases with elevation. If you are making a ski trip this winter, remember to bring sunglasses and sunscreen. Not only is the UV more intense, but there is also the double effect of the sun reflecting off the snow, into your eyes from below. Wear sunglasses or goggles with 100% UVA/UVB protection.

Considering Next Year’s Goals: Is LASIK in Your Future?

Perhaps the winter months have led you to reconsider your vision correction options. If you are a skier or otherwise enjoy recreational activities, you may long for a day without fumbling for glasses or placing your contact lenses. LASIK surgery provides a path to reduce or potentially eliminate your reliance on those corrective lenses.

Dr. Walton has performed thousands of LASIK procedures over a decade in practice. LASIK has a long-standing safety profile: The complication rate is low, and the chance of achieving 20/40 vision or better is high.

If you are over 40, you should know that you will still have to wear glasses when you read, even with LASIK. Presbyopia is an age-related change to the structure of the eye, which causes poor focus on near objects. But when you aren’t reading, you will find you can live life without having to use eyeglasses or contact lenses.

The only way to know for sure if you are a good candidate is to contact us. We’ll tell you more about the procedure, and if you’re interested, you will have a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Walton.

Arrange a Consultation with Dr. Walton

Want to arrange a FREE LASIK consultation? Want to schedule a routine eye exam or other ophthalmic appointment? If so, please call the practice of Dr. Christopher Walton at 251-341-3385. Our eye care office is located in Mobile, Alabama, and we proudly serve people from across our state.

¹https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/winter-sun-eye-safety