Winter Weather and Eye Health

Inflatable Frosty the Snowmen all over may be getting deflated and dragged off the lawn, but we all know winter’s far from over. If not the strung-up lights and forest decor to remind us, we still have the fun little pangs of the season: chapped lips, dry hands, an hour less of sunlight, etc. Maybe you’ve noticed, too, that your eyes are a little more fatigued this winter than they have been in other seasons. Well, you’d be spot on; winter’s one of the harshest seasons on the eyes. With a little preventative care, however, you can make sure your eyes are ready for any elements and adventures that come your way.

So why do our eyes dry out in the winter? It turns out that colder, windier winter climates are almost always accompanied by a drop in humidity, which can cause the often-observed dryness in skin and lips. This dryness, though we may not always think about it, can extend to the eyes as well. Lots of wind and air directly hitting the eye causes the tear layer to evaporate more than it would in windless conditions. What’s more, heaters indoors and in cars and public transportation can exacerbate this issue, as can fireplaces and fire pits. Basically, air stream conditions both outdoors and in during winter create the perfect environment for dryness and eye irritation.

If you’re working at a computer, too, your screen probably isn’t doing your eyes any favors. When we’re in front of a screen, we tend to blink less than we do otherwise. Blinking spreads our eyes’ tear layer, so a decrease in blinking will create—as with a windy environment—a decrease in that layer. And a decrease in tear layer will, as mentioned before, cause dry eye and discomfort. There are solutions, however. Among other practices such as following the “20-20-20 Rule” (looking at something 20 yards away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes) and wearing eyewear designed specifically to absorb harmful blue light, wearing Cocoons sunglasses as a preventative measure against winter dry eye can be very helpful.

Cocoons fitovers protect your eyes from the winter elements in several ways. First off, the fully polarized, UV400 lenses cut glare and reduce eyestrain, creating a more comfortable, defined field of vision. Furthermore, the patented frame design of Cocoons is created for comprehensive eye protection, shielding the eye at any given angle from both UV and wind. The brow bar, side shields, and undercarriage work together seamlessly, mitigating dry eye and sun damage while allowing for more comfort. On top the unyielding protection, Cocoons are made to last in any element; the frames are made from ballistics-grade nylon, and the Polaré® lenses provide clear, scratch-resistant optics. For lasting protection, you can’t beat a pair of Cocoons.

Wherever and however you wear your Cocoons, you’re going to be doing your eyes favors. Even in the harsh, dry conditions of winter, you’ll notice that your eyes will be more comfortable and focused, and you’ll notice you have more energy to focus on what you want to do this winter. So lace up your boots, grab your jacket, and throw on your Cocoons—there’s exploring to do. And after all, there’s an hour less of sunlight to do it.