Dry Eye in Fall and Winter: Why It Gets Worse and What You Can Do
If your eyes feel dry, irritated, watery, or tired as the weather gets colder, you're not alone. Fall and winter can be particularly challenging for people who experience dry eye symptoms. Between chilly outdoor air, indoor heating, and increased screen time, seasonal changes can leave your eyes feeling uncomfortable.
At Lio & Light Eyecare in Toronto's Forest Hill Village, we often see patients whose dry eye symptoms become more noticeable during the colder months.
The good news? There are simple ways to find relief, and effective treatments are available when at-home care isn't enough.
Why Does Dry Eye Get Worse in Fall and Winter?
Dry eye occurs when your eyes don't produce enough tears or when your tears evaporate too quickly. Your tear film plays an important role in keeping your eyes comfortable, healthy, and your vision clear.
Several seasonal factors can disrupt this delicate balance.
1. Cold Air and Wind
Cold temperatures and windy conditions can increase tear evaporation, especially when you're spending time outdoors. This can leave your eyes feeling gritty, irritated, or unusually watery.
Interestingly, watery eyes can actually be a sign of dry eye. When the surface of your eyes becomes irritated, your body may respond by producing excess reflex tears.
2. Indoor Heating and Dry Air
As temperatures drop in Toronto, we turn up the heat. Unfortunately, indoor heating often reduces humidity, creating an environment where tears evaporate more quickly.
Forced-air heating, car vents, and space heaters can make symptoms worse, particularly when warm air blows directly toward your face.
3. More Time Looking at Screens
Colder weather often means spending more time indoors, whether you're working at a computer, watching television, or scrolling on your phone.
When we concentrate on screens, we tend to blink less frequently and sometimes incompletely. Blinking is essential for spreading tears evenly across the surface of the eyes.
Fewer complete blinks can contribute to increased dryness and irritation.
4. Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
One of the most common causes of dry eye is meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).
The meibomian glands are tiny oil-producing glands located along your eyelids. They release oils that help prevent your tears from evaporating too quickly.
When these glands become blocked or aren't functioning properly, your tears may evaporate faster, causing burning, irritation, fluctuating vision, and watery eyes.
Cold, dry, and windy conditions can make these underlying symptoms more noticeable.
Common Signs of Dry Eye
Dry eye doesn't always feel like dryness. Symptoms can include:
Burning, stinging, or gritty sensations
Excessive watering or tearing
Redness and irritation
Blurry or fluctuating vision
Tired or heavy-feeling eyes
Sensitivity to light
Discomfort when wearing contact lenses
If you notice these symptoms becoming worse in the fall or winter, dry eye may be contributing to your discomfort.
6 Ways to Relieve Dry Eyes During Colder Months
1. Use a Humidifier
Adding moisture to the air in your home or office can help reduce tear evaporation. Consider using a humidifier in rooms where you spend the most time, particularly your bedroom.
2. Try Preservative-Free Artificial Tears
Lubricating eye drops can provide temporary relief by supplementing your natural tear film.
We generally recommend preservative-free artificial tears, particularly for patients who need to use drops frequently.
Not all eye drops are created equal, so choosing the right formulation for your specific type of dry eye is important.
3. Apply Warm Compresses
Warm compresses can be especially helpful for patients with meibomian gland dysfunction.
Applying a properly heated eye mask for approximately 10 minutes can help soften oils within the eyelid glands and support healthier tear production.
4. Take Regular Screen Breaks
Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something approximately 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Remember to blink fully and frequently, especially during prolonged computer use.
5. Protect Your Eyes Outdoors
On cold, windy days, wearing glasses or wraparound sunglasses can help shield your eyes from the elements and reduce tear evaporation.
Avoid directing car heaters or indoor fans toward your face.
6. Book a Dry Eye Assessment
If your symptoms are persistent, it's important to understand what's causing them.
Dry eye is not a one-size-fits-all condition. Some patients have reduced tear production, others experience excessive tear evaporation, and many have a combination of both.
Identifying the underlying cause allows us to recommend treatments that address the problem rather than simply masking the symptoms.
When At-Home Remedies Aren't Enough: Professional Dry Eye Treatments
For patients with ongoing dry eye symptoms, professional treatment may offer longer-lasting relief.
At Lio & Light Eyecare, we take a personalized approach to dry eye management. Depending on your symptoms and examination findings, treatment options may include:
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy
IPL uses controlled pulses of light applied to the skin around the eyes to target inflammation associated with certain types of dry eye, particularly meibomian gland dysfunction. For appropriately selected patients, it can help improve gland function and reduce symptoms.
Radiofrequency (RF) Therapy
Radiofrequency treatment uses controlled heat to warm the tissues around the eyelids, helping soften thickened oils within the meibomian glands. It may be recommended as part of a treatment plan for evaporative dry eye.
Personalized At-Home Care
Professional treatment is often combined with a tailored routine involving lubricating drops, warm compresses, eyelid hygiene, and other strategies based on your specific needs.
Don't Let Dry Eyes Ruin Your Winter
Dry, irritated eyes don't have to be something you simply put up with every winter.
Whether you're experiencing occasional discomfort or persistent symptoms, understanding the cause is the first step toward finding relief.
At Lio & Light Eyecare in Forest Hill Village, Toronto, we're here to help you feel more comfortable and keep your eyes healthy throughout the year.
Struggling with dry, watery, or irritated eyes? Book a dry eye assessment with Lio & Light Eyecare and discover which treatment options may be right for you.