Gloomy Days: Does Weather Affect the Way We See the World?

You might have noticed changes in your mood as we head into different times of the year. Generally, most of us will be more likely to feel upbeat and happy in the summer months, when the sun is shining, the days are longer, and the trees and flowers are in full bloom.

In contrast, it’s not unusual to feel a little blue as the days draw in and we find ourselves walking around in a grey gloom. In fact, there is even a name for this change in mood in the winter months: Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD.

But the changing weather can also impact other areas of our health, from making injuries more painful to increasing our risk of contracting colds and flus. But have you ever stopped to think about how the weather can affect our eyes?

Our Eyes in the Changing Seasons

The above might make it sound like Summer is better for our overall health than Winter. But the truth is, when it comes to our eyes, there are potential risks associated with all seasons. So, let’s take a look at some of the ways the weather can affect them.

Your Eyes in the Winter

In the colder months, our eyes are typically exposed to harsher conditions. For some people, cold winds and temperatures can increase the risk of dry eyes. This problem can also be exacerbated by increased exposure to artificial heaters, renowned for drying out our skin and eyes.

Dry eyes can cause significant discomfort and even affect our vision. However, the good news is that this problem can usually be managed fairly easily with the application of lubricating eye drops, which are sold at pharmacies and many supermarkets.

However, other people can experience the opposite problem – watery eyes. This can also be a side effect of exposure to cold air and wind, as your eyes produce more tears to protect themselves from irritation and debris. But watery eyes can also be a direct effect of wind exposure, which can irritate the eyeballs.

Take a look at our recent blog, ‘Top Tips for Protecting Your Eyes in the Winter‘.

Your Eyes in the Summer

So, Winter can be pretty tough on our eyes, but is Summer really any better? Well, maybe not. In fact, our eyes have a lot to deal with in the summer months.

Take hay fever, for example. It’s estimated that around 10 million people suffer from hay fever in England alone – that’s a hell of a lot of red and irritated eyes! What’s more, the discomfort from this common allergy can cause us to rub our eyes more frequently and more aggressively, potentially leading to further complications and eye injury.

And that’s not all we need to be concerned about. While the brighter days may be good for our mood and mental health, increased exposure to the sun can be extremely damaging to our eyes. So, when heading out on a sunny day (and even on a bright overcast one!), always remember to wear effective sunglasses to keep your eyes safe!

Have a read of our recent article, ‘Top Tips to Prevent Damage to Your Eyes in the Summer‘.

Our eyes have a lot to deal with in all weather, but one thing is for sure – all seasons are more enjoyable without the irritations of glasses and contact lenses! For more information about our Laser Eye Surgery treatments, get in touch with one of our friendly clinic coordinators or Book a Consultation today.