Why Winter is Better Without Contacts or Glasses

How Winter Affects Your Eyes

Winter is a season of harsh juxtaposition. The lifeless-seeming hibernation of nature is both stoic and minimal in its beauty, and any signs of life are amplified in their prominence. Unfortunately for people that have some need for vision correction, winter just isn’t as enjoyable for people whose eyes are free of contacts and glasses. Here’s why:

Contacts Can Cause More Irritation During the Winter

For allergy sufferers, escaping fall and the prelude to spring can make winter feel like a haven. But contact-wearers still need to keep themselves cogent of what nature has brought to bear. During the winter, the air is drier from the cold sucking moisture out of the air. This added dryness requires the tear ducts to work harder than during warmer temperatures. Contacts already need additional lubrication to make them a comfortable experience. But when your eyes can’t keep up with the wetting requirements, what are you supposed to do? If you don’t want to suffer from redness, foreign body sensation and irritation, you’ll likely become dependent on more frequent use of contact solution or eye drops. No fun!

Eyeglasses Can Become Warped or Damaged

The materials that are used in most quality eyeglasses, such as acetate, are susceptible to the elements. In the winter these materials contract, which can change the way your frames fit and therefore become uncomfortable. Worse, extreme temperatures can make eyeglasses more brittle. If you felt that your eyewear was too fragile to begin with, you certainly don’t like dealing with the cold.

Eyeglasses Get Foggy More Easily in the Winter

Fog is a form of condensation that occurs when water vapor contacts something cold, which then phases the water molecules into their liquid state. This process happens much more easily during the winter, when near everything is at much colder temperatures. In extreme temperatures and snow, the need to clear your glasses away from water is not just a nuisance, but potentially hazardous.

Glasses are Uncomfortable Under Goggles and With Ski Masks

At one point or another during their lives, people with glasses have probably tried to double up their eyeglasses with non-prescription eyeglasses. This awkward and ineffective process is enough to drive people crazy. Goggles aren’t necessarily as awkward to wear over your spectacles, but can be much less comfortable. No one buys glasses that are too small for their head, but when goggles are on, it might as well be the case. And when a potential fall on ice or a snowy hill occurs, your glasses in their overstressed state are that much likelier to break.

Then there’s the ski mask. How many times have you suffered the sharp cold of a winter gust on your face because you couldn’t wear it with glasses?

The Nights are Longer

Whether it’s a part of your eye condition, the glare on your glasses or the end-of-day dryness, getting around at night can be a real chore when you’re wearing glasses or contacts. This puts you and your loved ones at risk if you’re behind the wheel.

‘Tis the Season for LASIK

If the thought of being free of corrective eyewear has been tempting at other times of the year, chances are the winter has you at a breaking point. LASIK refractive eye surgery is now one of the most popular solutions for common eye corrections all over the world. Imagine going through each day seeing everything clearly, without compromise. There’s no stress of forgetting glasses, no bulk of carrying cases and no morning routine of drowsily fighting with uncomfortable contacts. LASIK can be used to treat people who are short-sighted, farsighted, have an astigmatism, as well as other common eye conditions.

In the past, the idea of having a blade near the eye was a terrifying turnoff for many. The cost and potential for complications turned off even more. But the reality is that there has never been a safer and more affordable time to get LASIK refractive eye surgery. Blades are no longer used and have been replaced with lasers. At Marano Eye Care, our surgeons are expert veterans in the procedure, with thousands of operations under their belts.

With LASIK, there is a painless opportunity to improve your life in under an hour. Most people see results soon after the procedure is finished, and nearly everyone sees results within the first 48 hours. Are you ready to improve your life? Contact us today.