Seasonal Dry Eye: Why Are My Eyes Drier in the Fall?

Seasonal Dry Eye: Why Are My Eyes Drier in the Fall?

It isn’t just our skin that can dry out when fall and winter arrive. Our eyes can be just as adversely affected by changes to the season, and this presents a number of challenges if we are to keep them healthy and functioning optimally. Many people develop dry eyes – a common condition that occurs when there’s a problem with the quantity or quality of the tear film that usually keeps our eyes healthy and lubricated. It can also occur when the tear film drains too quickly, causing the surface of the eyes to become dry. If you already experienced dry eye, you may find that the fall season makes your symptoms worse. Here’s a few of the reasons why.
 

Changes to our environment affect our eyes

When the fall rolls around, the day and night-time temperatures begin to drop. Our eyes rely on several things to keep them properly hydrated. One of these is adequate moisture in the air. When it starts to get cold, we are more likely to start using our home and office heating systems. These naturally dry out the environment, making it harder for our eyes to stay hydrated and us more likely to experience dry eyes. Consider using a humidifier to counteract these effects.

The same can be said for time spent outdoors. A change in the weather often means that cold, dry air can be expected. This has a similar effect, especially on windy days where the drop-in humidity can cause the tear film on the surface of your eyes to evaporate more quickly than normal, resulting in dry eyes. Protect them using sunglasses or glasses as much as possible. UV damage can still occur in the colder months, so wearing suitably protective sunglasses is crucial to limit the effects of the sun on your eyes.
 

Allergies exist in the fall

Allergies can affect us all year round, not just in the summer months. There are some types of allergy that are particularly prevalent in the fall. Ragweed pollen is one of the most common triggers of seasonal allergies in the all, with around 75% of people who experience spring allergies also being affected by ragweed. Mold is another allergen that occurs more significantly in the fall, with big piles of fallen leaves being ideal breeding grounds for mold spores to develop. You might also notice your allergies being triggered indoors. This is because dust mites often trigger fall allergies. Although present in the summer too, the reduced circulation resulting from cooler air and closed windows can cause dust mites to become trapped inside with you, triggering your allergies.

Allergies can manifest in a range of ways, including affecting the eyes. When you come into contact with an allergen, your immune system will make antibodies that trigger your eyes to release substances to defend against them, including histamines. These can cause your eyes to become itchy, red and dry, resulting in you experiencing the symptoms of dry eyes.
 

We spend more time indoors

When the weather isn’t so pleasant, we tend to spend more time indoors. This often leads to increased use of TVs and digital devices. When we use them, we tend to concentrate more and blink less, making dry eyes a more frequent occurrence. Excessive use can lead to digital eye strain – a condition characterized by a number of symptoms, including excessive dryness and irritation of the eyes. If you plan on spending time indoors, make sure that you protect your eyes from screen use as much as possible. You can do this by making sure that you sit a suitable distance from the screen, take regular breaks to look away from them and focus on something at a greater distance, and remembering to blink regularly.

How do you know if you are suffering from dry eyes? You may experience any of the following symptoms:

• Eye redness

• Dryness and discomfort when looking around or paying visual concentration to something

• Increased sensitivity to light

• Stinging, burning or itchiness

• Difficulty wearing contact lensesBlurred vision

• Eye fatigue

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you could be suffering from dry eyes and you should schedule an appointment with our experienced team at  Lifetime Vision and Eye Care as soon as you can so that we can help you to find relief from your condition. Alternatively, contact our team today by calling (305) 902-3320 for more information about dry eyes.