Our optometrists are here to help you battle winter dry eyes!
Although not as common as in other parts of Canada, Vancouver is no stranger to snowstorms, and it is clear that Vancouverites need to prepare for colder temperatures in the winter. Other than switching to our Sorels and snow tires, we will have to add a few more things to our arsenal to make the winter transition easier. Battle the cold-induced dryness by lining your pockets with eye drops and chapstick.
How to manage winter dry eyes
Cold air, wind, and indoor heating can make tears evaporate faster. Start with practical comfort measures, then ask an optometrist about the cause if symptoms keep returning.
- Preservative-free artificial tears may help relieve irritation when used as directed.
- Warm compresses and lid hygiene may support the oil glands that help slow tear evaporation.
- Wind protection, humidity, screen breaks, and regular blinking can reduce environmental strain.
- Pain, significant redness, light sensitivity, discharge, or sudden blurry vision should be assessed promptly.
Explore Dry Eye Care
Winter in Vancouver brings changes in temperature and humidity. The cold air causes our blood vessels to constrict and for moisture to evaporate. The protective coating on the surface of your skin, lips, and eyes is all connected.
If you have dry skin, you will have dry eyes in winter. This means that your tear film, on the surface of your eyes, will be thinner than usual and can trigger a stinging sensation. Dry eyes can cause reflexive tearing, which leads to watery eyes your tear glands go into overdrive, leaving you with excessive tearing but eyes that still feel dry and irritated.
Surviving Winter Dry Eyes – Tip 1: Use Eye Drops
At Real Eyes Optometry, our doctors recommend using eye drops to relieve winter dry eye symptoms like stinging and watery eyes. If you find that you are using them too frequently or that they don’t give you relief, talk to us about radio frequency treatments, which may provide a longer-term treatment option for selected patients.
Surviving Winter Dry Eyes Tip 2: Using a Warm Compress
Your dry eyes can be caused by a variety of reasons. Visiting your local eye doctor is the best way to get an appropriate diagnosis.
If clogged oil glands (evaporative dry eye) is your problem, using a warm compress over your closed eyes every morning and night can help with oil production. An increase in oil in your tears will help prevent your tears from evaporating. A healthy tear film will result in more comfort and better vision.
Surviving Winter Dry Eyes Tip 3: Choose the Correct Type of Contact Lenses
Talk to your optometrist about switching to a brand of contact lenses that are most effective in maintaining the moisture levels in your eyes. Finding the correct lens curvature, material, and coatings will ensure a proper fit and this will help prevent dry eye symptoms while providing excellent vision and comfort. Need help finding the right contact lenses for you? Check our our Top 3 Optometrist Picks & Tips.
Surviving Winter Dry Eyes Tip 4: Take Breaks From Your Screen
Spending your day working in front of a screen and then enjoying downtime watching movies and playing games on a screen can exacerbate dry eyes, particularly in the winter if you are in a room with a heater on. Remember to take breaks from your screen time and choose to wear glasses over contacts when you have a chance.
Surviving Winter Dry Eyes Tip 5: Use a Humidifier
Having a humidifier can balance indoor heaters by adding moisture to the dry air. Use one where you spend the most time, such as your bedroom and office. It should help hydrate your skin and eyes.
Surviving Winter Dry Eyes Tip 6: Protect Your Eyes When Outdoors
- Wear a close-fitting mask when doing winter sports: This prevents moisture from your mouth and nose from reaching your lenses and causing them to fog. Balaclavas and neck warmers work well by protecting you from the winter cold.
- Clean your glasses/goggles with anti-fog wipes: Keep lenses clean, as dirt and smudges provide more for condensation to cling to.
We are lucky to have mountains nearby in Vancouver. Just be aware that it can be extra bright in the winter when there is snow outside. The reflective qualities of snow can send more UV rays into your eyes, causing snow blindness also known as photokeratitis. Severe cold temperatures and winter dry eyes can also play a part, making photokeratitis more common in higher elevations. Protect your eyes from UV and the cold by wearing sunglasses or goggles when outdoors in the winter.
Are There Long-Term Effects of Cold Weather to My Vision?
Spending long periods of time outdoors in cold temperatures can lead to dry eyes and blurry vision. In extreme cases, you may even start seeing double. Freezing eyes can lead to serious problems. If you are experiencing eye pain, intense sensitivity to light, blurred vision or feeling like there is something in your eye, please contact an optometrist right away.
IPUR Eye drops
Don’t forget to pick up your IPUR eye drops before heading up the mountain this year. 2026 snow season may have started late, but it will be a good one.
Continue exploring dry eye care: dry eye symptoms, eye drops, RF treatment and the dry eye hub.
Why are my eyes so dry in winter?
Cold air, wind, and indoor heating can lower humidity and increase tear evaporation. Existing tear-film or eyelid-gland problems can make symptoms more noticeable.
Can indoor heating make dry eye worse?
Yes. Heated indoor air is often dry, and warm airflow can increase evaporation. A humidifier, regular blinking, and breaks from direct vents may help.
Are preservative-free eye drops better for winter dry eyes?
They can be a good option for people who use drops frequently or have sensitive eyes, but your optometrist can help choose the right formula and schedule.
Do warm compresses help winter dry eye?
Warm compresses may help soften oils in the eyelid glands and support a healthier tear film when used safely and consistently.
Can winter wind cause watery eyes?
Yes. Wind can irritate the surface and trigger reflex tearing even when the tear film is unstable.
When should I see an optometrist for winter dry eye?
Book an assessment if symptoms persist, recur each winter, affect vision, or require frequent drops. Seek prompt care for pain, marked redness, light sensitivity, or sudden vision changes.
Can dry eye cause blurry vision in cold weather?
Tear-film disruption can cause fluctuating blur that may clear with blinking. Persistent or sudden vision changes should be evaluated.
What can I do if winter dry eye keeps coming back?
An optometrist can look for underlying causes such as meibomian gland dysfunction, inflammation, medication effects, or an unsuitable environment and create a tailored plan.
