College of Optometrists offer cold weather advice for eyes

The College of Optometrists has issued eye health tips to follow in the cold weather.

They have suggested that having a clear car windscreen and wearing sunglasses can help to avoid any vision difficulties due to the glare of a low sun on icy or wet roads, lowering the room temperature or using a humidifier to lessen dry eye symptoms and wearing spectacles over watery eyes to protect against the wind, even if you don’t normally wear them.

Dr Susan Blakeney, clinical adviser, said: ‘There are several things you may notice more in winter than in summer. One of these is an increased need to wear your glasses. This is because when there is less light available, your pupil expands which reduces the eye's depth of focus and means that you notice blurriness more. If you have any questions, ask your optometrist for more information.’