Winter Eye Care: How To Prevent Dryness, Digital Strain, and Discomfort During Colder Months

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Winter Eye Care: How To Prevent Dryness, Digital Strain, and Discomfort During Colder Months

Did you know the winter season can take a toll on your eyes, causing dry eyes, blurred vision, and itching? This primary sensory organ is exposed to increased screen time and reduced natural light in winter, leading to digital eye strain. The cold weather and indoor heating can also cause dryness and worsening eye discomfort. To protect eye health this season, we spoke to Dr Prem Sankar, Research Officer and Ayurveda Physician – NETRA Ayurveda Eye Speciality Clinic, AVP Research Foundation, Trichy Road, Coimbatore, who explained the reasons for rising health issues and ways to manage them.

“Our digestive power tends to be stronger in winter than in other seasons. Due to increased digestive capacity, consuming light foods can raise the body’s vata, leading to dryness. This may affect the eyes and contribute to vata-related conditions like dry eyes,” explained Dr Sankar. Increased dryness, irritation, redness, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, and difficulty focusing, indicate that your eyes may be struggling during winter.

How To Take Care Of Eyes In Winter

The following practices can help protect the eyes during the winter months when they are prone to dryness and strain from prolonged screen usage.

Following a Winter Diet

dairy-products

“During the winter months, it is recommended to incorporate foods that combat dryness and nourish the body. Drinking a glass of water first thing in the morning aids your digestive system and helps maintain eye hydration and overall eye health,” said Dr Sankar.

Wheat, old rice, black gram, sugarcane, milk, dairy products, meat and meat soup are ideal additions to your diet during winter. These foods help balance vata dosha, which tends to increase during colder seasons. Include ghee and flavours that are sweet, sour and salty in your meals while avoiding dry foods that can aggravate vata dosha.

Wash your Eyes

Washing the eyes with herbal decoctions like Triphala can help relieve dryness caused by prolonged screen time, which is common in the digital age. This practice soothes the eyes, relieving symptoms of digital eye strain, such as redness, tiredness and blurred vision. This eye wash method also aids in naturally detoxifying the eyes, clearing out impurities and reducing the risk of irritation.

Also Read: Winter-Proof Your Eyes: Expert Tips for Comfortable Contact Lens Wear

Everyday Eye Care Routine

eye-massage

  • Incorporating practices like Abhyanga (warm oil massage) helps relieve eye strain and nourish the eyes, which is particularly useful for those experiencing dry eyes and digital eye strain. Massaging the head, ears and feet with oil supports better circulation, improving moisture levels and preventing dryness.
  • Snanam, a bath practice that involves washing the head with cool water and the body with warm water, promotes relaxation and helps alleviate discomfort caused by long periods of screen exposure.
  • Pada Abhyanga, a foot massage with medicated oil, reduces tension and indirectly benefits eye health by promoting relaxation and restoring balance to the body.
  • Nasya, a nasal administration of therapeutic oils, enhances vision by promoting healthy circulation.  

Sunlight and Physical Activity

It is important to get enough sunlight exposure during this season as it naturally boosts Vitamin D levels. With the body’s increased strength and heightened metabolism in winter, consuming nutritious meals and engaging in regular physical activity are essential for maintaining overall health and energy.

Use of Footwear

walking-barefoot

Ayurveda highlights the importance of wearing footwear year-round, as it helps protect the body’s connection to the ground. It also safeguards eye health by maintaining overall physical balance and well-being. “For example, barefoot exposure in colder seasons may lead to an imbalance in the energies, particularly vata dosha, which governs movement and flow. Footwear helps shield the feet from these environmental influences and maintains the body’s equilibrium,” added Dr Sankar.

Also Read: Essential Tips For Maintaining Healthy Eyes As You Age

Kriyakalpas

Kriyakalpas are specialised ayurvedic eye treatments used for both prevention and treatment. According to a 2020 study, kriyalkalpa involves procedures in which medication or drugs are applied in or around the eyeball for treatment. These therapies involve using various medicinal forms, such as medicated decoctions, external pastes and medicated ghee.

The different therapies include Sekam (eye irrigation), Aschothana (eye drops), Anjana (applying eye ointment), Pindi (eye bandaging), Bidalakam (eye pack), Netra Tarpanam and Putapakam (eye nourishing therapy).

The eyes can become dry due to an increase in Vata during winter. In such cases, the Netra Tarpana procedure, under the guidance of an eye care expert, can be used to revitalise the eyes.

Bottomline

Dr Sankar concluded, “To keep your eyes healthy during the winter season, avoid long screen hours, take regular breaks, stay hydrated, follow a winter diet and maintain a daily eye care routine to prevent dryness and strain. Following these practices can support lessening of dryness and digital eye strain by nourishing the eyes, reducing tension and improving circulation.”

[Disclaimer: This article contains information provided by an expert and is for informational purposes only. Hence, we advise you to consult your professional if you are dealing with any health issue to avoid complications.]

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