If there is one thing the Grande Prairie is known for, it is
our long, temperate summers and the short, mild winters ... or is it our long,
unpredictable winters and the short, balmy summers? It can sometimes be hard to
remember.
Jokes aside, we are coming to another winter! With the
temperatures also the humidity decreases. If you are someone who lives with dry
eye syndrome, you may notice an increase in the frequency and severity of your
symptoms.
Have you ever wondered why the dry eye flares up in the
winter months?
Dry eye does not respond favorably to low humidity
Dry eye occurs when the eyes are not sufficiently
lubricated. This root cause can be managed from different perspectives both
directly and indirectly. A straightforward way to alleviate dry eye is to use
lubricating eye drops, while an indirect method is to increase the humidity in
the room and pause frequently when working on the computer.
Since lubrication of the eye is essential for the maintenance
of comfort and health, the quality of the ambient air should always be
considered. A large part of the ambient air quality is the humidity.
Why is moisture important?
A low-moisture environment - a description that applies to
most of Alberta - promotes a faster rate of moisture evaporation. Your body and
eyes always lose moisture in the air. If you live in southern Ontario, where
humidity is often in the range of 55% to 70%, you will lose less eye moisture
than dry Alberta, where the average humidity is 35% - 45%.
Turn on humidity!
Most homes have a central humidifier (if you have parquet,
you will most likely do so). Find it and turn it up until your house is at
50-60% humidity. From there, sit back and enjoy the benefits of increased
humidity for your eyes (and skin and hair).
Portable humidifiers also work well, although their effects
are best located in a smaller space. A single portable humidifier can not
increase the humidity throughout the house.
Cold Air & Wind Open your eyes
We all know what a bitter cold winter wind feels like. When
a particularly fresh breeze hits our eyes, it immediately absorbs moisture and
feels dry and unwell.
It is no secret that the cold winter season has the habit of
changing the outside world and causing us to change our everyday lives to
prepare for the necessary changes that come with the winter months. In some
parts of the country, for example, winter snow and ice can help fight dangerous
roads and icy sidewalks. If you're lucky enough to live in a snow-free area,
there are extra steps you need to take to keep yourself out of the cold winter
weather and protect yourself from the harsh winds.
But when it comes to the cooling effects of the colder
months, your environment and wardrobe are not the only parts of your life that
need to be prepared for the winter. Body and health are often affected by the
changes of winter as well as our environment outside.
On running eyes, chapped lips and frozen fingers, there is
no shortage of ways in which the cold can cause unpleasant changes in our
everyday lives. However, part of our body, which often experiences the worst
winter weather, is our eyes.
Between the severe winter winds outside and the dry heat
that radiates inward, our eyes are very quickly irritated and dried during the
winter months. If you are exposed to any of these atmospheres, there may be a
sudden onset of moisture evaporation in our eyes. Our lacrimal glands can not
easily produce enough fluid to maintain the protective, liquid coating our eyes
need to stay hydrated. The result is itchy, dry eyes that can cause pain,
blurred vision, a burning sensation or even watery vision as our eyes try to
counterbalance the dryness.
Subscribe by Email
Follow Updates Articles from This Blog via Email
No Comments