Winter in Calgary brings cold winds, bright snow, and low humidity, all of which can influence how your eyes feel day to day. Whether you’re spending more time indoors or enjoying outdoor activities, seeing one of our optometrists in Calgary can help you understand what your eyes need during the colder months. At Mission Eye Care, our team is here to support your comfort and visual needs throughout the winter season.
How Calgary Winters Affect Eye Comfort
Sharp temperature changes, dry indoor heat, and reflective snow can contribute to eye irritation, sensitivity, or general discomfort. Many people notice these changes more as winter progresses, especially when shifting between the outdoors and heated indoor spaces (Nall, 2024). Our optometrists at Mission Eye Care can help assess whether environmental factors or your daily habits may be contributing to your dryness or irritation.
Other common winter triggers include low humidity, increased screen time, windy conditions, and bright light reflecting off snow. Together, these shifts can make the eyes feel more tired or irritated throughout the season.
Winter Eye Protection Tips
Winter brings a mix of indoor and outdoor conditions that can affect how your eyes feel day to day. These simple tips can help you stay more comfortable throughout the season.
1. Protecting Your Eyes from Wind and Snow Glare
Winter sun can be surprisingly bright, even on overcast days, and snow can reflect light, creating noticeable glare or eye fatigue. Whether you’re walking the dog, skiing, skating, or heading out on a winter hike, proper eyewear can help shield your eyes from wind, cold temperatures, and bright light (The College of Optometrists, n.d.).
Wearing sunglasses or winter-specific goggles with UV protection, polarization, or glare-reducing coatings can make outdoor activities and driving more comfortable by reducing squinting and glare.
At Mission Eye Care we can suggest eyewear options suited to your lifestyle and winter activities, including different tints, coatings, and sport-ready designs.
2. Adding Moisture to Your Environment
Heated indoor air during winter can make your eyes feel more irritated or uncomfortable. Using a cool-mist humidifier at home or in your workspace can increase air moisture. Taking short breaks from screens, avoiding direct heat on your face, and remembering to blink fully can all help support your eye comfort.
3. Staying Hydrated During Colder Months
It’s easy to drink less water during the winter, but staying hydrated supports overall comfort, including your eyes. Keeping a water bottle nearby throughout the day and drinking consistently can make a meaningful difference, especially if you’re frequently indoors with central heating.
4. Being Mindful of Digital Eye Strain
Winter often means more time spent indoors with screens. Long stretches of digital work can affect how frequently you blink and may contribute to dryness or fatigue. Minor adjustments, like reducing screen glare, positioning screens slightly below eye level, and taking regular breaks, can help you stay more comfortable.
If you notice increasing strain, one of our optometrists can check your prescription and discuss ways to make your digital routine easier on your eyes.
5. Contact Lens Tips
Cold weather and dry indoor air can make contact lenses feel less comfortable than usual. Switching to daily disposable lenses, using preservative-free lubricating drops, or alternating between glasses and contacts on windy days can help. We can also review whether your current lenses are still the right match for your comfort needs during winter.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why do my eyes feel drier in winter?
Cold weather, winter winds, and heated indoor spaces can all make your eyes feel more uncomfortable. If symptoms persist, visit us, and we can help determine what’s contributing to dryness.Do I need sunglasses in winter?
Yes. Snow reflects light, which can cause glare even on cloudy days. Sunglasses with UV protection can make outdoor time more comfortable.What can help with winter screen-related eye strain?
Taking regular breaks, adjusting screen height, and reducing glare can help make screen use more comfortable.Why do my contacts feel dry in cold weather?
Low humidity indoors and increased screen time can make contact lenses feel less comfortable. We can recommend lens options or care tips suited to winter conditions.When should I see an optometrist for dryness or irritation?
If dryness, sensitivity, or irritation continues or starts to interfere with your daily comfort, visiting one of our optometrists in Calgary for a winter eye health assessment may be helpful.Supporting Your Eye Comfort Through the Winter
Winter is a great time to check in on your eye health, especially if you’ve noticed dryness, irritation, or changes in how your eyes feel. At Mission Eye Care, our optometrists can assess your overall eye comfort, screen for any changes, update your prescription, and provide guidance tailored to winter conditions.Still Have Questions About Diabetic Eye Care in Calgary?
At Mission Eye Care, our optometrists are dedicated to helping you understand your options and take proactive steps toward long-term eye health.
Book your diabetic eye exam in Calgary today and experience comprehensive, compassionate care from a team that understands diabetes-related vision needs.
Dr. Andrea Lasby Optometrist (FAAO, FSLS, FCCSO)
Dr. Lasby is a private practice clinician and partner at Mission Eye Care in Calgary. She is residency trained in corneal disease and custom contact lenses. She is also a well-renowned speaker and serves on the board of the Alberta Association of Optometrists.
References
- Nall, R. (2024, March 8). Treating (and preventing) dry eyes in winter. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/dry-eyes-in-winter
- The College of Optometrists. (n.d.). Winter eye health infographic. https://lookafteryoureyes.org/eye-care/winter-eye-health/winter-eye-health-infographic/
