For many, winter doesn’t just bring frosty mornings and snow-covered landscapes—it also brings dry, irritated eyes. If your eyes feel scratchy, watery, or uncomfortable as soon as the temperatures drop, you’re not alone.
But what causes this seasonal discomfort? With pollen and other allergens long gone, it might seem odd that your eyes are still reacting. The reality is that winter conditions create the perfect storm for dry eye, leading to irritation and vision issues even when allergies aren’t to blame.
At The EyeDoctors Optometrists, we understand how frustrating it can be to deal with dry eyes all winter long. That’s why our expert eye doctors have created this guide to explain why winter weather exacerbates dry eye symptoms—and, more importantly, how you can take action to protect your vision and find relief.
Most of the time, we don’t think about our eyes—until they start feeling uncomfortable. Our eyes are intricate, self-sustaining organs that don’t just provide vision but also contain protective mechanisms to keep them functioning properly. One of the most important of these is the tear film, a thin layer of moisture that shields the eyes and keeps them lubricated.
A healthy tear film has three essential layers: a mucous layer that helps tears adhere to the eye’s surface, an aqueous layer that hydrates the eye, and an outer lipid layer that slows evaporation. The meibomian and lacrimal glands regulate this system, ensuring the right balance of moisture. However, when this system is disrupted—whether due to environmental conditions, health issues, or natural aging—the tear film becomes unstable, leading to dry eye syndrome.
One surprising symptom of dry eye is excessive tearing. When the tear film deteriorates, the body tries to compensate by producing more tears. However, these tears lack the essential oil and mucous components needed for lasting hydration, so they evaporate quickly instead of relieving the dryness. This can leave eyes feeling even more irritated.
Dry eye can be triggered by a variety of factors, including seasonal changes in humidity, exposure to wind, smoke, or airborne debris, and certain medical conditions like ocular rosacea or autoimmune disorders. Understanding the underlying cause of dry eye is the first step in finding the right treatment and long-term relief.
Symptoms include:
A persistent itching or burning sensation
Red eyes
Excessive watering
Blurred vision
The presence of stringy mucous
A feeling of eye fatigue or strain
Environmental conditions play a major role in the development of dry eye, and winter combines several factors that can make symptoms significantly worse. Both outdoor and indoor elements contribute to increased eye dryness, making this season especially challenging for those prone to irritation, itchiness, and excessive tearing.
Cold air holds less moisture than warm air, which means winter brings lower humidity levels. When the air is dry, it absorbs moisture from surrounding sources—including your eyes. The tear film, responsible for keeping your eyes lubricated and protected, evaporates more quickly in these conditions, leading to dryness, discomfort, and irritation.
Winter isn’t just dry—it’s also windy. Just like standing in front of a fan or riding a bike without eye protection, exposure to strong, chilly winds can strip moisture from the tear film. This leaves your eyes feeling dry, scratchy, and irritated, increasing your risk of developing chronic dry eye symptoms.
When temperatures drop, we rely on indoor heating to stay warm. However, heating systems significantly lower humidity levels in homes, offices, and even cars, creating another dry environment that can irritate the eyes. Just like how heating can dry out your skin, it also pulls moisture from your eyes, making dry eye symptoms even more noticeable while you’re indoors.
Colder weather often means more time spent indoors, and for many, that translates into increased screen use. Whether working from home, binge-watching a favorite series (70% of Americans do!), or scrolling through social media, extended screen time can intensify dry eye symptoms. When looking at digital screens, people tend to blink less, reducing the eye’s natural lubrication. Pair this with dry indoor air, and winter quickly becomes a season of fatigued, irritated eyes.
Winter dry eye is a common seasonal concern, but the good news is that it can often be managed with simple lifestyle adjustments. From increasing indoor humidity to using lubricating eye drops, these strategies can help keep your eyes comfortable and hydrated throughout the colder months.
One of the most effective ways to combat winter dry eye is by using a humidifier. Cold air naturally holds less moisture, and indoor heating further depletes humidity levels, causing tears to evaporate more quickly. This leads to increased dryness, irritation, and discomfort. A humidifier adds moisture back into the air, creating a more eye-friendly environment. Running one in your home or workspace can significantly reduce dry eye symptoms and improve overall comfort.
Sunglasses aren’t just for sunny summer days—they’re essential in winter, too. They act as a shield against harsh winds, preventing moisture from being rapidly stripped away from your eyes.
Additionally, sunglasses help protect against photokeratitis, commonly known as snow blindness. Snow and ice reflect up to 80% of the sun’s UV rays, increasing the risk of eye damage. Wearing sunglasses with 100% UVA and UVB protection helps prevent irritation, glare sensitivity, and long-term vision issues caused by UV exposure.
Your eyelids contain tiny glands, called the meibomian glands, that produce oils to keep your tear film stable. If these glands become blocked, tears evaporate too quickly, causing dry and irritated eyes.
A warm compress can help unclog these glands and improve tear quality. Simply soak a clean washcloth in warm (not hot) water, place it over your closed eyes, and relax for about 10 minutes. This simple and soothing technique can help enhance tear retention and reduce dry eye symptoms during winter.
Blinking plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy tear film, but when people focus on screens—whether for work, entertainment, or social media—they naturally blink less. This leads to quicker tear evaporation, worsening dry eye symptoms.
To promote healthier blinking habits, follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something at least 20 feet away. This practice helps refresh the tear film, minimize strain, and keep eyes hydrated—especially during long periods of screen use.
If dryness persists, lubricating eye drops can provide fast relief. Over-the-counter artificial tears, such as Systane or Refresh, help supplement your natural tear film, keeping your eyes moist and comfortable. Keeping a bottle on hand during the winter months can be an easy and effective way to combat dryness and irritation throughout the day.
For many people, simple at-home remedies provide effective relief from winter dry eye, allowing them to stay comfortable throughout the season. However, if your symptoms persist despite making adjustments to your environment, using artificial tears, and taking regular screen breaks, it may be time to seek professional care.
If your eyes continue to feel dry, irritated, or excessively watery even after trying these strategies, an eye doctor can help identify the underlying cause and recommend more advanced treatment options tailored to your needs. Additionally, if you experience sharp eye pain, extreme sensitivity to light, or a sudden decline in vision, don’t wait to schedule an eye exam. These symptoms could indicate a more serious eye condition that requires immediate attention to protect your vision and prevent potential complications.
See your eye doctor if you experience:
Continuing symptoms of dry eye after trying at-home treatments
Worsening symptoms, including red, swollen eyes
Sharp or extreme pain
A sudden drop in vision
Winter brings chilly mornings, holiday gatherings, and breathtaking snowy landscapes, but for many, it also brings the discomfort of dry, irritated eyes. Instead of spending the season dealing with itchiness, redness, and excessive tearing, you deserve to experience winter with clear, comfortable vision. If your eyes frequently feel dry or irritated when the temperatures drop, you may be experiencing winter dry eye.
Thankfully, most cases of winter dry eye can be managed with simple home remedies and small lifestyle adjustments. However, if your symptoms persist or worsen, The EyeDoctors Optometrists are here to help. Our experienced team specializes in diagnosing and treating dry eye, offering customized solutions to relieve irritation and protect your vision throughout the season.
Don’t let dry eye keep you from enjoying winter—schedule an appointment with The EyeDoctors Optometrists today!