If sitting in front of a crackling fire this winter makes your eyes feel like they’re crackling too, two things – 1) you may be sitting too close to the fire, and 2) you could have dry eye syndrome.

Though December may be the season focused on family, festivities, food, and the mad rush to organize presents before the holidays, it can be difficult to focus if your eyes aren’t feeling great. So, as the festive season gets well and truly under way, consider these three simple tips to keep your eyes comfortable this winter.

Beware of winter allergens

We commonly think of allergies as a spring or summertime problem. But itchy, watery, irritated eyes (and noses) can be just as bothersome in the colder months. Allergens such as mold, pet dander, and dust mites often come out to play during winter. The cold dampness of areas such as your basement invites mold, your beloved pets spend more time indoors sprinkling their dander around, and your heating vents stir up dust mites and their droppings into the air, with no way out through those windows closed against the cold. Delightful, isn’t it?

To help manage those dry, itchy, red eyes from allergies, consider:

Controlling humidity and mold in your home with a dehumidifier (but watch out for the effects dehumidified air may have on your dry eyes)
Upping your cleanliness standards to eradicate molds and dust mites – you have dinner guests coming over soon anyway, don’t you?
Using zippered pillowcase and mattress protectors that keep dust mites out
Washing your bedding once a week with hot water to get rid of lingering mites
Keeping pets out of bedrooms and carpeted areas to limit your exposure to pet dander while sleeping

If the steps above aren’t enough to help with your winter allergies, speak to your eyecare professional about antihistamine eye drops or tablets.

Watch those heating vents

Heating vents are great for heating your house in winter, but not great for blowing around dust mite feces (see above) or if you have dry eye syndrome. Unsurprisingly, the hot dry air can exacerbate dry eyes, leading to the gritty, irritated, stinging, burning sensation often associated with dry eye syndrome. Conversely, you may find your eyes watering, which is often a reflexive response to a dry ocular surface.

If turning down the heating in your house is not an option, at least don’t have those vents blowing right in your face. You can also take steps to manage dry eyes, including:

Using lubricating eye drops, available at the local drugstore or even some supermarkets
Using a warm compress over your eyes – not only will this feel like you’re being pampered in a spa but will also promote better oil production from the glands responsible for contributing to the layer of tears over your eyes

These are a couple of easy home remedies for managing dry eye, but may not be enough for some people. If you have moderate or severe dry eye, your eyecare professional may offer some more intensive therapies, which include prescription eye drops or in-office treatments such as intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy.

Reconsider your alcohol consumption

‘Tis the season to be jolly but don’t forget that alcohol consumption can exacerbate dry eye symptoms, particularly in women. Drinking alcohol, especially when you already have a dry eye diagnosis, can:

Decrease the volume of your tear film, the layer of tears covering the surface of your eye
Disturb the structure of the tear film
Induce inflammation on the surface of the eye, a factor known to contribute to dry eye disease

Studies have shown that ethanol shows up in tears after a drink, particularly in heavy drinkers. And though your palate may enjoy a whiskey or two, the surface of your eyes does not.

Alcohol has also been linked with the development of cataracts. Though cataracts are typically a natural effect of getting older, drinking alcohol can accelerate the progression of cataracts and the need for cataract surgery.

Let your eyes shine bright this holiday season!