With daylight savings just behind us, the darkness is arriving a lot earlier, and you can just feel winter heading our way. Now, most of us think about adding layers or finding the right gloves. Heck, I ordered a wool stocking cap today for my dog walks, and that’s not a summer thing (the cap anyway)! However, with this change in season, many of us don’t think about how fall and winter affect our eyes. Yet every year, as the temperature drops, patients mention that their eyes feel dry, irritated, or just tired. It’s not your imagination.

Why Winter Can Be Tough on Your Eyes

Winter brings unique challenges for vision and eye comfort. Indoor heat pulls moisture out of the air, and outdoor cold air holds very little to begin with. That combination can make your eyes feel gritty or dry, especially if you wear contact lenses. It’s also the time of year when we spend more hours indoors looking at screens. Between darker evenings and cozy nights at home, our eyes work overtime.

Small Habits That Make a Big Difference

If you’ve noticed your eyes feeling strained lately, you’re not alone. One of the simplest ways to help is to stay mindful of blinking. It sounds funny, but we blink far less when looking at screens, and that means our eyes don’t get the moisture spread they need. Using a humidifier at home can also help balance the dry heat that central systems create. And if you wear contacts, make sure you’re cleaning and replacing them exactly as directed. Winter dryness tends to magnify the discomfort of overworn lenses.

Seeing Clearly on Dark, Wet Roads

Driving can also get trickier in the darker months. Glare from wet roads and oncoming headlights can make even short commutes uncomfortable. If you’ve noticed halos or difficulty adjusting between bright lights and darkness, it might be time to have your night vision checked. A simple adjustment in your prescription or adding an anti-reflective coating to your lenses can make a big difference on those rainy Portland evenings.

Don’t Pack Away Your Sunglasses Yet

Light plays a role, too. As noted, it’s getting darker earlier, but the sun also sits lower in the sky during winter. Even on cloudy days, ultraviolet rays reflect firmly off wet pavement or snow. That means sunglasses still matter, even if it doesn’t feel like “sunglass season.” Look for lenses with full UV protection and polarization if you spend time driving or outdoors (and that’s pretty much all of us).

Style That Works for the Season

Of course, winter isn’t just about staying comfortable. It’s a great time to think about how your eyewear fits your cold-weather routine. Frames that feel snug and secure make it easier to move between indoor warmth and outdoor chill without fogging up. Lenses with anti-fog or hydrophobic coatings can also make a surprising difference. And if you wear glasses every day, this might be the perfect time to choose a frame that stands out against winter’s softer palette, something that brightens grey days a little.

A Little Care Goes a Long Way

Taking small steps now can help your eyes stay comfortable all season long. Make sure you’re getting enough rest, hydrate even when you don’t feel thirsty, and keep your environment balanced with a bit of humidity. If dryness or strain persists, an eye exam can rule out any underlying issues before they become bigger concerns.

Winter has its own rhythm, and your eyes can adjust beautifully with just a little care. The season will bring its mix of rain (hopefully some snow!), early sunsets, and sparkling holiday lights, but you can meet it with clear, comfortable vision and the confidence that comes from treating your eyes well.

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