When the temperature drops in Tennessee, your eyes feel it too. The cold months bring dry air, strong winds, and cranked up heaters that can leave your eyes feeling scratchy, red, and tired. These problems affect everyone, from kids to adults, and they’re more common than you might think.
At Barnes Talero Eyecare, we’ve been helping Nashville families deal with winter eye discomfort since 2008. Our bilingual team offers care in both English and Spanish, making sure everyone gets the help they need.
Why Winter Is Hard on Your Eyes
Your tears do more than show emotion. They keep your eyes moist, clear away debris, and protect against infection. These tears have three layers: mucus, water, and oil. When all three work together, your eyes stay comfortable.
Winter disrupts this balance in several ways.
Cold air holds less moisture than warm air. When humidity drops, your tears dry up faster. The water in your tear film gets pulled into the dry air around you, leaving your eyes without the protection they need.
Wind makes things worse. Those chilly gusts don’t just make you reach for a scarf. They blow across your eyes and speed up tear loss even more.
Then you head indoors to escape the cold. But your heaters and fireplaces dry out the air inside too. That cozy warmth creates another low humidity space for your eyes to deal with.
There’s one more problem. When it’s cold outside, we spend more time on screens. Whether you’re binge watching shows or catching up on work, you blink less when you focus on devices. Less blinking means fewer fresh tears coating your eyes.
Common Winter Eye Problems
Dry Eyes
This is the most frequent complaint. Your eyes feel gritty, like sand is stuck in them. They might burn or sting. Some people describe it as a scratchy feeling that won’t go away. You may even notice your vision gets blurry at times.
Watery Eyes
It sounds odd, but dry eyes often make you produce too many tears. Your body senses something is wrong and tries to fix it by making more tears. The problem is these tears are low quality and don’t actually solve the dryness.
Redness and Irritation
Cold wind and dry heat can make your eyes look bloodshot. The surface gets inflamed from all the stress. You might feel like rubbing them, but that only makes things worse.
Light Sensitivity
Winter sun can be harsh on your eyes. When light bounces off snow or ice, it becomes even brighter. This reflected light can hurt to look at and leave your eyes feeling tired.
Eye Fatigue
Between screen time and dry conditions, your eyes work overtime in winter. They feel heavy and tired by the end of the day. This fatigue can make it hard to focus on tasks.
Contact Lens Discomfort
If you wear contacts, winter can make them feel uncomfortable. Dry conditions pull moisture from your lenses, making them stick to your eyes or feel tight. Some people find they can’t wear their lenses as long during cold months.
Simple Ways to Find Relief at Home
You don’t always need a doctor’s visit to feel better. Try these tips first.
Get a humidifier. This is your best tool against winter dry eye. A humidifier adds moisture back into your indoor air. Place one in your bedroom or office where you spend the most time.
Use artificial tears. Pick up over the counter eye drops from any drugstore. Use them a few times a day to keep your eyes moist. Look for preservative free options if you need to use them often.
Drink more water. Staying hydrated helps your whole body work better, including tear production. Aim for eight glasses a day.
Try warm compresses. Wet a clean washcloth with warm water. Place it over your closed eyes for 10 minutes. This helps unclog the oil glands in your eyelids and gets them working again.
Wear sunglasses outside. Even on cloudy days, eyeglasses block wind and protect against reflected light from snow. They create a barrier that keeps your tears from drying out so fast.
Clean your eyelids. Each night, gently wash your eyelid edges with a warm, damp cloth. This keeps the oil glands clear and healthy.
Stay away from direct heat. Don’t sit right in front of heaters or car vents. Turn air vents away from your face when you’re driving.
Take screen breaks. Follow the 20/20/20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This gives your eyes a chance to rest and blink naturally.
When You Should See an Eye Doctor
Home treatments work well for most people. But sometimes you need professional help.
Call Barnes Talero Eyecare if your symptoms get worse instead of better. If over the counter drops stop helping, it’s time for a checkup. Blurry or double vision needs attention right away.
Sharp eye pain is not normal. Neither is constant heavy tearing that affects your daily life. These signs could mean a more serious problem.
We can provide stronger treatments than what you’ll find at the drugstore. This includes prescription eye drops, punctal plugs that help keep tears in your eyes longer, or other medical options based on what’s causing your discomfort.
If you have diabetes or another health condition that affects your eyes, winter dryness can be more serious. Regular checkups help us catch problems early.
Why Choose Barnes Talero Eyecare
We’re an independent, locally owned practice right here in Nashville. Since 2008, we’ve focused on giving families personalized care without the rush you get at corporate chains.
Dr. Maria Barnes brings over 40 years of experience to every exam. She trained in Colombia, Switzerland, and France, specializing in conditions that affect how your eyes work together.
Our team is fully bilingual. We provide complete eye care in English and Spanish. You can explain your symptoms and ask questions in the language you’re most comfortable with.
We offer full dry eye assessments. This means we don’t just hand you eye drops. We figure out why your eyes are dry and create a treatment plan that actually works for you.
If you wear contacts and struggle with dryness, we specialize in hard to fit lenses. We can find options designed for people with dry eyes or other special needs.
For kids and adults with eye strain or focusing problems, we offer vision therapy. This can help if screen time is making your winter eye issues worse.
We accept most major insurance plans, including both vision and medical coverage. Our staff can help you understand your benefits before your visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my eyes so dry in the winter?
Cold air holds less moisture than warm air, so your tears dry up faster. Indoor heating removes even more humidity from the air, making the problem worse.
Do heaters make dry eye worse?
Yes. Heaters create hot, dry air that speeds up tear loss. Sitting near vents or fireplaces can make your eyes feel even more uncomfortable.
How can I protect my eyes from cold wind?
Wear sunglasses or wraparound glasses when you go outside. They create a barrier that blocks wind and keeps your tears from drying out quickly.
What is the best eye drop for winter dry eye?
Look for preservative free artificial tears you can use several times a day. If over the counter drops don’t help, visit us for prescription options that work better.
Can cold weather cause eye pain?
Yes. Extreme cold and wind can irritate your eyes and cause sharp discomfort. If you have ongoing pain, call our office for an exam to rule out serious problems.
Schedule Your Winter Eye Relief Visit Today
Don’t let dry, irritated eyes take away from your winter. Whether you’re dealing with mild discomfort or persistent problems, we’re here to help.
Call Barnes Talero Eyecare at (615) 485-6251 to book your appointment. We offer exams in both English and Spanish at our Nashville location on Harding Place.
Our team will figure out what’s bothering your eyes and give you a clear plan to feel better. From simple solutions to advanced treatments, we’ll find what works for you and your family.
Winter doesn’t have to mean uncomfortable eyes. With the right care, you can enjoy the season with clear, comfortable vision.
