During the winter months, you bundle up under scarves and sweaters and switch to a richer moisturizer, but how much attention do you pay to your eyes? Dry air and harsh winds are among the irritants can lead to burning eyes, itchiness, and blurry vision.  Follow these six simple steps to keep your eyes healthy this winter.

Wear Sunglasses
Wearing polarized sunglasses with 100 percent UV protection is critical for your winter eye health. Sunlight reflected off the snow can actually sunburn the cornea in the winter.  In fact, snow reflects up to 80 percent of the sun’s UV light, so you’re being exposed to the same harmful rays twice, and you need to be particularly careful if you are skiing, snowboarding or engaging in any winter activity at high altitudes. That’s because UV radiation exposure increases 4 to 5 percent for every 1,000 feet above sea level.  

Book an Eye Exam

An eye exam checks the overall health of your eyes and can detect other health conditions that my otherwise go unnoticed.

Avoid glittery eye makeup

The tiny glitter particles can easily enter the eye causing irritation and/or infection.

Combat heating havoc

Having heat cranked up high can create havoc for eyes, making them dry and uncomfortable.  Use a humidifier in areas of the home where it may be particularly warm, creating some moisture in the air.

Wash your hands often

Washing your hands frequently throughout the day can prevent to spread of infections such as conjuctivitis (pink eye).  Conjunctivits can affect adults as much as it can children.