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5 Winter Eye Care Tips

Winter eye care is more than just avoiding the cold—are your eyes ready for harsh winds, dry heat, and UV glare? Discover smart, optometrist-approved tips to keep your vision clear all season.

Key Takeaways for Winter Eye Care

  • Keep Eyes Away from Heat Sources: Maintain distance from fireplaces and heaters to avoid moisture loss and dry eye flare-ups.

  • Don’t Ditch the Shades: Wear polarized, 100% UV-protective sunglasses—even on snowy days—to prevent snow blindness and long-term UV damage.

  • Prioritize Hydration: Offset dry indoor air by drinking more water (especially with hot beverages) and placing humidifiers in key living spaces.

  • Adjust Contact Lens Habits: Switch to daily disposables and use preservative-free drops often; remove lenses at the first sign of irritation.

  • Nourish Eyes from Within: Load up on omega-3s, vitamin A, and antioxidants from local foods to strengthen tear film and fight winter glare.

  • Choose the Right Eye Drops: Match dryness severity with targeted products—opt for lipid-based, preservative-free formulas for best results in dry climates.

Cold Weather, Clear Vision: Top 5 Eye Care Tips for Winter

1. Keep Your Distance From Heaters

Resist the urge to sit close to fireplaces, space heaters, or heating vents. While cozy, this exposes your eyes to ultra-dry air. Indoor heating strips moisture from your environment, and proximity intensifies this effect – leading to dry, itchy eyes. Our Fort Collins optometrists recommend:

2. Never Skip Winter Sunglasses

Think sunglasses are just for summer? Think again. Colorado’s winter sun delivers equally damaging UV rays – and snow reflects up to 80% more UV light, increasing your risk of photokeratitis (snow blindness). At Poudre Valley EyeCare, we see this condition often in Fort Collins’ high-altitude climate where thinner air offers less UV filtration.

Winter UV dangers include:

  • Snow blindness: UV damage or corneal freezing from wind

  • Symptoms: Pain, light sensitivity, gritty sensation, redness, headaches, temporary vision loss

  • High-risk activities: Skiing, snowboarding, driving, holiday gatherings

Our Fort Collins optometrists recommend:

3. Hydration: Your Secret Weapon Against Dry Winter Eyes

While coffee and tea warm us through Fort Collins’ chilly days, they can’t replace water’s crucial role in eye health. Dehydration reduces tear production, triggering a chain reaction:

  • Surface damage to delicate eye tissues

  • Inflammation and corneal ulcers

  • Increased risk of vision impairment

Poudre Valley EyeCare’s optometrists see this often in dry Northern Colorado winters.

Their hydration prescription:

  • Water-first rule: Drink 8 oz water for every hot beverage
  • Humidify strategically: Place units near seating areas
  • Eye check alerts: Grittiness or redness means hydrate immediately

4. Humidify Your Space for Healthier Winter Eyes

Combat Fort Collins’ dry winter air where indoor heating and cold outdoor conditions team up to dehydrate your eyes. At Poudre Valley EyeCare, we recommend humidifiers as essential tools for Northern Colorado homes and offices.

Why dual-action protection matters:

  • Desktop humidifiers counter dry air from heating systems

  • Moisture barriers prevent tear evaporation during screen work

  • Eye strain reduction when combined with smart screen habits

Our optometrists’ protocol:

  • Place humidifiers near workstations (ideal: 40-60% humidity)
  • Follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds
  • Wear moisture-sealing glasses outdoors for non-desk activities

5. Winterize Your Contact Lens Routine

Fort Collins contact lens wearers face amplified dryness in our high-desert climate. At Poudre Valley EyeCare, we prioritize moisture retention as critical winter eye care – especially for lens users where dehydration can cause corneal abrasions.

Our Northern Colorado optometrists recommend:

  • Preservative-free rewetting drops every 2 hours outdoors
  • Switch to daily disposables during peak winter months
  • “Stop-Drop-Remove” protocol: If eyes sting, apply drops and remove lenses immediately
  • After-hours care: Visit our Fort Collins clinic for emergency dryness solutions

Nutrition for Winter Eye Health: Fort Collins Food Solutions

What you eat directly impacts your eyes’ winter resilience. In Northern Colorado’s dry climate, Poudre Valley EyeCare recommends these key nutrients to combat dryness:

Essential Eye-Shielding Nutrients:

  • Omega-3s: Reduce inflammation and boost tear production. Local sources: Colorado-caught trout, Fort Collins farmers’ market walnuts, flaxseed oils.

  • Vitamin A: Protects corneas from winter dryness. Get it from: Sweet potatoes, kale from regional farms, and locally grown carrots.

  • Lutein & Zeaxanthin: Defend against UV/snow glare damage. Find in: Pasture-raised eggs (Northern Colorado), spinach, and kale.

Supplement Smartly with Guidance:

  • Consult our Fort Collins optometrists before starting supplements
  • Choose omega-3s with 1000+mg EPA/DHA
  • Opt for eye-specific multivitamins (look for the AREDS2 formula)

Hydration Synergy:

Double your water intake during Colorado winters! Aim for half your body weight (oz) daily to maintain tear volume.

Winter Eye Drops: Your Fort Collins Survival Guide

Beat Northern Colorado’s dry air with precision eye drop selection. Poudre Valley EyeCare’s optometrists simplify your choices:

Match Your Dryness Level:

  • Mild Discomfort → Preservative-Free Artificial Tears
    (e.g., Refresh Optive®)
    Use: 4x daily indoors; carry for Fort Collins’ windy outings

  • Severe Dryness → Nighttime Lubricating Ointments
    (e.g., Systane Nighttime Gel)
    Use: Apply before bed to heal while you sleep

  • Chronic Conditions → Medicated Prescription Drops
    Use: Custom solutions from our Fort Collins clinic

Non-Negotiable Ingredients:

  • Lipid-based formulas (repair tear film oil layer – critical in low humidity)
  • Hyaluronic acid (holds 1000x its weight in moisture like Colorado snowpack)
  • Preservative-free (prevents chemical irritation during frequent winter use)

Special Notes from Our Optometrists:

  •  Contact lens wearers: Choose drops with “lens-safe” labeling
  • Avoid redness relievers (they worsen dryness long-term)
  • When to visit us: If drops provide <2 hours of relief
  • Pro tip: Store drops away from heaters to preserve efficacy

Winter doesn’t have to mean eye discomfort or blurry vision. With the right habits—from hydration and nutrition to protective eyewear—you can keep your eyes healthy and irritation-free all season long.

Need personalized eye care this winter?
Schedule an appointment with our Fort Collins optometrists at Poudre Valley EyeCare today, and let us help you see clearly through Colorado’s coldest months.

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A professional headshot of Dr. Eric Torgerson, the owner and lead optometrist at Poudre Valley Eyecare, wearing a dark suit, blue shirt, and patterned tie against a greenish-grey background.
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Dr. Eric Torgerson

Owner at Poudre Valley Eyecare

Dr. Eric Torgerson is the owner of Poudre Valley Eyecare, and has been recognized for his contributions to optometry and his commitment to community health through various roles and accolades within the Northern Colorado Optometric Society and the Colorado Optometric Association.

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Our advanced technology and individualized care deliver results for patients of all ages. Our routine exams allow us to spot changes in your vision and allow us to treat those changes early. We have a comprehensive understanding of eye care, which means we can treat a wide range of conditions and chronic diseases. Our in-depth routine exams and customized treatment plans set us apart from the rest.

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