If you live in Chicago, you know that winter is brutal! Your skin cracks, the wind howls and gets in your bones, and your eyes get really dry. If dry eye is driving you crazy, don’t worry! Keep reading for tips on surviving winter dry eye this year!
Drink More Water
One of the easiest things you can do when the cold is drying out your eyes is to drink more water. Told you, it’s really easy! You’re probably aware that the body is made up of about 60% water, meaning we need it to survive.
If you’re feeling dried out, your eyes are likely lacking enough moisture. Drinking enough water can help your body stay hydrated and ready to take on winter. Not a big water drinker?
Consider buying an infuser so you can drink water with fruit flavor, naturally! As long as you are drinking beverages like teas or flavored seltzers, you are consuming water.
Consume More Soup or Foods With Water
Like drinking more water, this tip isn’t difficult to follow! Yes, drink more soup during the winter. It makes sense, right? Besides drinking your water, you can increase your intake through foods too. Soup is excellent because it warms you up and helps keep your body hydrated.
Not a fan of soup? Make an effort to eat more fruits and vegetables. Yes, carrots are good for your eyes (in moderation) but fruits and veggies contain water as well. If you want to keep your body hydrated and happy, consume more leafy greens like kale, spinach, or lettuce.
You can also add fruits like watermelon, strawberries, and oranges. The benefit here is you’re getting more water into your diet and more fruits. Your eyes and body will thank you!
Take A Break From The Contacts
If you wear contact lenses, dry eye during a Chicago winter can seem unbearable. Contacts can be bad enough, but during the winter, it feels like needles are stabbing you in the eye. Dry eye is not fun! So what can you do if your contacts aren’t cooperating?
You might want to consider giving your contacts a break. Yes, wearing glasses in the cold isn’t fun, but when you’re at home, contacts aren’t necessary.
Giving your eyes a break from your contacts gives them some time to breathe. This then allows your eyes to re-lubricate. The idea is by reducing your contact lens use in the cold, your eyes will feel less dry.
What If These Tips Don’t Help?
The tips above are great, but if they don’t work for you, it’s time to treat your dry eye. Every year, millions of Americans suffer through the pain and irritation of chronic dry eye, but you don’t have to!
Consider visiting Chicago Cornea Consultants™ to treat your dry eye. We are the first practice in Chicago offering LipiFlow.
This is a dry eye treatment option that addresses dry eye at its source. This delivers patients long-lasting results and relief from their dry eye!
Ready to make your dry eye a thing of the past? Schedule your dry eye appointment at Chicago Cornea Consultants™ in Chicago today!
