Sunglasses are often associated with summer and beaches, but winter is no exception. Sunglasses can protect your eyes and improve your vision, whether driving, skiing, or playing outdoor sports.

In winter, the sunlight reflects off snow, ice, and other surfaces at a higher and brighter angle than during the warm months. This is known as glare and can make it difficult to see.

1. Reduce Glare

Whether driving or enjoying the winter scenery, glare can interfere with your vision. Luckily, you can take some simple steps to minimize glare and improve your visibility on the road.

Invest in a pair of polarized sunglasses to reduce the glare from icy or snowy surfaces. They also provide additional protection to your eyes against harmful UV rays.

If glare is still an issue, use your sun visor to reduce it. Lowering your visor when you notice the sun is extreme can help you see better and keep a safe distance from the cars around you.

It’s important to choose sunglasses that fit your face shape and head bridge and are comfortable and lightweight for driving. The right frame also helps your lenses adjust to changing light conditions.

2. Prevent UV Rays

Sunglasses are essential year-round but are even more important during winter—snow and ice increase exposure to UV rays, which can lead to skin cancers and premature aging.

Snow and ice reflect sunlight and double the amount of UV radiation you receive. This increases your risk of skin cancer and eye damage, including cataracts, macular degeneration, and pterygium.

The best sunglasses for snow cut the harsh glare from these intense light sources, making it easier to see hazards and pedestrians without straining your eyes or blurring your vision. Polarized sunglasses are beneficial in winter because they block the glare more effectively than other sunglasses.

Another great way to protect your eyes while driving is using a small travel sun umbrella. They’re portable and easy to carry in your glove box or seat back pocket.

3. Keep Your Eyes Healthy

We love the sun in summer, but it’s not always easy to remember that UV rays can hurt our eyes and the skin around them year-round. That’s why wearing sunglasses is so important.

The sun naturally sits lower in the sky during winter, which can increase your exposure to harmful UV rays. This is why wearing sunglasses while driving in winter is essential, even if it’s cloudy outside.

It’s also important to remember that snow reflects 80 percent of the sun’s rays, causing a harsh glare that can impair your vision.

This can make it harder for you to see other vehicles, pedestrians, and obstacles on the road. You’ll want to protect your eyes and keep them healthy this winter by choosing a pair of sunglasses with UV protection that fit well.

4. Reduce Eye Strain

While it may be cold outside, you still need to protect your eyes from UV rays, which are harmful and cause eye diseases like cataracts. This is why it’s essential to wear sunglasses no matter what the weather is doing.

Sunglasses help reduce the strain on your eyes and face when you squint to see. This type of muscle strain can be pretty exhausting, and it can lead to headaches.

The same goes for driving in winter – your vision can be severely disrupted by the reflection of light off snow and ice, which can be dangerous. This is why you must ensure you have a good pair of sunglasses with anti-reflective lenses in your car.

You can also choose polarized sunglasses to reduce the glare from rain. These glasses can also provide excellent vision during snowy or icy conditions. The important thing is to choose a good pair that fits your face well and are made of lightweight materials.

If you’ve ever wondered does cold weather affect eye pressure, then you’re not alone. Most people have a natural tendency to experience higher levels of eye pressure during the colder months of the year, which is why it’s important to pay close attention to the health of your eyes during the winter season. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent the effects of cold weather from getting worse.

Excess Tearing and Runny Eyes

Watery eyes may seem to be a cliche, but they are a real ailment. Not only do they cause discomfort, but they can be embarrassing. Fortunately, there are many treatments for watering eyes.

The most common causes are dry eye syndrome, infections, clogged tear ducts, and other health conditions. You can treat these ailments by taking the right medications.

Oftentimes, watery eyes are an indication that your tears are working correctly. Tears help keep the surface of your eyes moist and can also help heal any injuries. They can be produced in excess, however, and can negatively affect your vision.

Getting enough sleep, drinking plenty of water, and maintaining a healthy diet are all ways to combat eye fatigue. But if you’re still struggling, you should see your doctor.

Eye allergies can also cause watering, redness, and other symptoms. Some allergy medicines can be helpful in treating these symptoms.

Another common cause of watery eyes is aging. As we age, our eyelid tissues relax, which can lead to blocked tear ducts.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a disease that affects the eyes. If left untreated, it can lead to vision loss and blindness. The condition can be controlled by lowering the pressure in the eye. It can also be treated with eye drops or surgery.

Glaucoma patients should be aware of the effects of winter weather on their eyes. They should be proactive in scheduling their eye doctor’s appointments. Wear sunglasses to protect their eyes. Also, they should avoid salt, saturated fats, and caffeine.

In cold weather, the oxygen particles in the air condense. This causes a build-up of fluid in the eye. When the pressure is increased, damage to the optic nerve may occur faster.

The intraocular pressure (IOP) fluctuates in the seasons. This is higher in healthy eyes than in patients with open-angle glaucoma (POAG). A temporary decline in IOP in the summer can help prevent the progression of glaucoma. However, high IOP in the winter is believed to have a negative effect on the progression of the disease.

Humidifiers

If you have dry eyes, you might want to look into a humidifier. Dry air in the winter can be dehydrating, especially if you spend a lot of time indoors.

Cold air can cause dry eyes and even illness. Air vents and heaters can also contribute to the problem. You should also protect your eyes by staying away from direct airflow and avoiding close contact with heating vents.

You should try to drink more fluids to keep your body hydrated. This can increase the amount of moisture your tears have to fight off. It also helps to wear sunglasses that block UV light. Wearing a pair of these will reduce your risk of macular degeneration and cataracts.

Other options include using cool-mist humidifiers. These prevent the nasal passages from drying out and make it easier to breathe at night.

A central humidifier can be installed in your home’s heating system. These can add moisture to the entire house.

Make Regular Visits to Your Optician

If you live in an area that is prone to winter weather, you need to take extra steps to protect your eye health. Cold temperatures can cause your eyes to become dehydrated, which can result in blurry vision. The dry air can also cause pain and discomfort. It’s important to make regular visits to your optician for an exam.

You should always see an optician when you notice changes in your vision. When you go for an appointment, you will be asked about your current activities, your work environment, and your recent health conditions. These questions will help your doctor determine the extent of any damage to your eyes.

A comprehensive exam will include testing your peripheral vision, measuring your cornea’s thickness, and checking the drainage angle of your eye. Your doctor may use fluorescein drops to detect any superficial irregularities on your cornea. This will allow your doctor to diagnose glaucoma, an eye disease that causes damage to the optic nerve. Glaucoma is treatable.