It’s not just your imagination; dry eye symptoms often worsen in winter. Cold temperatures, low humidity, indoor heating, and harsh winds all contribute to increased tear evaporation and discomfort.
At Boyle Eye Specialists, our optometrist offers advanced dry eye treatments in Scranton to restore moisture and comfort to your eyes, even in the harshest seasons. Our diagnostic tools help us pinpoint the source of your symptoms, so we can recommend solutions that actually work.
If you're dealing with persistent discomfort, blurred vision, or a gritty sensation in your eyes, our in-office relief options can help you find lasting comfort.
Here’s why dry eye worsens in winter, and what can help.
Why Winter Triggers Dry Eye
Your eyes rely on a delicate balance of moisture and oil to stay comfortable. When this balance is disrupted, symptoms of dry eye can emerge—or intensify.
Here’s how winter interferes:
- Dry indoor air: Heating systems reduce humidity indoors, leading to quicker tear evaporation
- Cold wind exposure: Cold winds quickly dry out your eyes
- Reduced blink rate: We tend to blink less when using digital screens, and long indoor hours during winter often involve more screen time
- Low ambient humidity: Outdoor humidity drops with the temperature, and less moisture in the air contributes to faster tear evaporation
These environmental factors make it harder for your tears to do their job, which can gradually increase discomfort and irritation.
Common Winter Dry Eye Symptoms
If you notice these symptoms more during the colder months, winter dry eye might be the culprit:
- Burning, stinging, or gritty sensation
- Blurred vision that improves after blinking
- Redness or irritation
- Excessive tearing (a response to dryness)
- Sensitivity to light
- Discomfort while wearing contact lenses
If your symptoms return year after year or last for days without relief, it’s time to see a dry eye doctor.
When to See a Dry Eye Doctor
Over-the-counter eye drops may offer temporary help, but they don’t address the root cause of dry eye. You should schedule a professional assessment if:
- Your symptoms persist for more than a few days
- Your eyes often feel gritty, sore, or overly tired
- You’re constantly using artificial tears with minimal relief
- Vision becomes blurry and doesn’t improve with blinking
- You experience pain, redness, or swelling
Dry eye is often due to meibomian gland dysfunction, inflammation, or inadequate tear production. Those causes require targeted treatment, not guesswork.
How We Treat Dry Eye in Scranton
At Boyle Eye Specialists, we begin with detailed diagnostics to identify what’s causing your dry eye. We examine the quality of your tear film, the function of your meibomian glands, and any signs of inflammation or oil deficiency.
Once we understand the source of your discomfort, we build a personalized care plan, which may include:
- In-office therapies: In-office procedures unblock meibomian glands and restore healthy oil flow
- Preservative-free artificial tears: We recommend specialty drops for chronic or seasonal dry eye
- Moisture goggles or warm compresses: These can be especially helpful for relieving morning dryness and helping oil glands function properly
- Lifestyle guidance: Small changes like using a humidifier indoors or wearing wraparound glasses outside can support eye comfort all season long
Not every patient needs the same solution. Our team will work with you to develop an approach tailored to your specific symptoms and lifestyle needs.
Get Relief From Dry Eye This Winter
If dry eye is interfering with your work, sleep, or winter routines, it’s time to stop managing symptoms and start treating the root cause.
Request a dry eye appointment with Boyle Eye Specialists in Scranton, PA, and find out how our advanced diagnostics and in-office therapies can help you get back to reading, driving, or simply enjoying your day without discomfort.