4 Winter Eye Care Tips for Calgarians

For most of us, caring for our eyes isn’t always top of mind. But similar to the summertime, winter eye care in Calgary is key to staying comfortable year-round.

Here are four top optometrist tips to maintain good eye health during the chilly Calgary winters.

1. Wear UV protection sunglasses. In Calgary, we may be burdened by bone-chilling cold, but we’re also blessed with sunny winter days. When the sun reflects off the white snow and ice on the ground, its effects are compounded, which can be damaging to our eyes. Wearing sunglasses that protect our eyes from harmful UV rays will not only keep ultraviolet rays from entering our eyes, but will also keep us from squinting for better comfort. Look for sunglasses that filter out 100% of UV light and consider wearing a brimmed hat that offers your eyes a little shade.
 

2. Keep your eyes moist. The climate in Calgary is very dry, and we feel it in the winter more than ever. Dry eyes are very uncomfortable. Working indoors, where there’s even less humidity, can make the dryness feel worse, and people who wear contacts will be affected the most. Combat dry eyes by applying lubricating or moisturizing eye drops throughout the day. You can also try to consciously blink more, consume plenty of water during the day, and wear glasses when you’re outside to shield against the drying wind.

Eat eye-friendly foods. Fair enough, this tip applies year-round, but eating foods that promote eye health during the winter certainly doesn’t hurt.

These include:

• ​Broccoli, collard greens, kale and spinach, which contains lutein, which can prevent age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.
• Carrots and eggs, which have vitamin A, a vitamin that promotes healthy retinas and reduces susceptibility to age-related macular degeneration, as well as cataracts.
• Strawberries, raspberries and grapefruit, all delicious treats that are high in vitamin C to prevent cataract formation.

​3. Wear goggles. We love winter activities, like skiing and snowboarding. Wearing goggles while staying active during the winter not only protects your eyes from the blinding effects of the sun and its reflections off the snow, but they also shield your eyes from debris, which can land in your eye and cause surface damage. Goggles with UV protection are a great choice as they reduce the risk of snow blindness and development of cataracts.

As always, consulting an optometrist to ask for advice that is suited specifically to you is always advised. Visit our clinic in Market Mall today, or call us at 403-286-4884.