The holidays are full of joy, lights, and celebration, but they can also take a toll on your eyes. Long days of travel, shopping, and screen time can cause eye irritation, dryness, and strain. At TrueVision Eye Care, our eye doctors in Morrisville and Raleigh often see more patients dealing with these symptoms during the winter months.
In this blog, you’ll find tips for preventing eye strain, relieving dryness, and keeping your vision clear and comfortable throughout the season.
Prevent dry eyes in winter
Cool outdoor air and dry indoor heat can easily cause irritation, redness, or a gritty, uncomfortable feeling. Staying hydrated and using a humidifier can help, but sometimes dryness can linger.
During a comprehensive eye exam, our optometrist can uncover whether your discomfort is due to dry eye syndrome or another issue. If needed, we may recommend dry eye treatment or changes to your contact lenses to keep your eyes feeling refreshed.
Remember to take breaks from screens
During the winter, spending more time indoors often means more hours in front of screens. Whether it’s online shopping, catching up on emails, or watching holiday movies, it’s easy to overdo screen time during this season. All that screen time can lead to digital eye strain, causing symptoms such as chronic headaches, eye strain and fatigue, neck and shoulder pain, and more.
To reduce eye strain, follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Keeping your eyeglasses or contact lenses prescription current also helps prevent unnecessary squinting and fatigue.
Don’t rush your contact lens care
Busy holiday schedules can make it easy to cut corners, but skipping steps in your lens routine can cause irritation or even infection. Protect your eyes by following these tips:
- Wash your hands before handling lenses
- Replace your contact lens case every few months
- Never reuse or top off contact lens solution
- Avoid sleeping in contact lenses unless prescribed for extended wear
- Follow your replacement schedule closely
- Schedule a contact lens exam if it’s been more than a year since your last fitting
Protect your eyes from winter glare
Sunglasses with UV protection and polarized lenses aren’t just for summer. Wearing them in winter helps protect your eyes from harmful UV rays, reduces glare, and prevents discomfort from harsh light conditions.
Enjoy every festive moment with clear, comfortable vision
Your holidays should be full of warmth and clarity—not dry, irritated eyes. Whether you need a comprehensive eye exam, a contact lens exam, new eyeglasses, or dry eye treatment, our team is dedicated to keeping your eyes healthy and your vision sharp through every celebration.
Call our office or schedule online today to keep your eyes comfortable and your vision clear all holiday season long.