Eye Health advice during the winter months

Do you suffer problems with your vision during the winter months?

Denise Voon MCOptom, Clinical Adviser for The College of Optometrists, has some timely advice to help the public to protect their vision and eye health this winter.

1. Increased screen time

Unsurprisingly as the temperature plummets, we naturally spend more time inside. This in turn undoubtedly results in increased exposure to screens. Ie laptops, tv’s and iPads. Although there is no evidence to suggest increased time on the computer damages your vision, you may find it tiring to look at a monitor for long periods of time.

The College recommends:

• Positioning the monitor so it’s roughly arms lengths away from your eyes and, if possible, keep the top of the screen below your eye level
• Minimising any distracting reflections in your screen, e.g. windows
• Looking at something 20 ft away, for 20 seconds, every 20 minutes
• Blinking regularly. Focusing on a screen may make you blink less, which may make your eyes dry and uncomfortable.

2. Shorter Days

As the days draw in, you may notice the need to wear your glasses more. As light diminishes your pupil expands which reduces the eyes depth of focus and means that you notice blurriness. Daylight lights are a good investment to improve ease of reading – you can purchase a recommended light from Lesley Cree Opticians – ask us for details.

3. Winter sun

You may have heard us preach this before, but sunglasses aren’t just for summer. Snow and ice are reflective, so the sun’s rays can reach your eyes from below as well as above. The low sun in winter can be dazzling, so wear sunglasses on sunny winter days, particularly when driving.

4. Dry eyes

Central heating may cause havoc for those that suffer from dry eyes. If this is an issue for you, lowering the temperature in rooms and opening windows, even for a few minutes should help. You can also use a humidifier or have a bowl of water near the radiator to help humidify the air. Your optometrist or pharmacist will also be able to advise you on suitable moisturising eye drops if you need them.

5. Playing outside

There is evidence that spending time outdoors could reduce progression of myopia (short sightedness) in children. So, wrap the kids up warm and make sure they have some time playing outside each day. (Especially if it snows)

Visit your optometrist

If you have any issues with your vision, or you would like to know more about our services, call us today at Radcliffe: 0115 933 2999, Keyworth: 0115 9375521, Ruddington: 0115 9212992 or visit one of our practices, Together, we can help protect your vision and enhance your driving confidence.