

Winter in Aurora brings colder temperatures, shorter days, and more time spent indoors. While most people prepare for winter by protecting their skin and immune system, eye health is often overlooked. Yet winter is one of the most challenging seasons for your eyes.
Dry indoor air, increased screen time, and low-light conditions can all contribute to uncomfortable and sometimes serious winter vision problems. Understanding these issues — and knowing when to seek professional care — can make a big difference in your comfort and long-term eye health.
During winter months, several environmental factors combine to stress your eyes:
Cold outdoor air reduces natural tear production
Indoor heating lowers humidity levels
Reduced daylight strains vision
Increased screen use causes eye fatigue
These conditions make dry eyes and digital eye strain especially common among Aurora residents.
Dry eye syndrome becomes significantly worse in winter. Symptoms often include:
Burning or stinging sensation
Redness
Blurry or fluctuating vision
Sensitivity to light
Feeling of grit or sand in the eyes
Indoor heating systems pull moisture from the air, causing tears to evaporate faster. If left untreated, dry eyes can affect daily comfort and productivity.
An eye exam in Aurora can determine whether your symptoms are seasonal or part of a chronic dry eye condition.
Winter means more time on:
Computers
Phones
Tablets
Televisions
Extended screen use leads to digital eye strain, which can cause:
Headaches
Neck and shoulder tension
Difficulty focusing
Eye fatigue
People blink up to 60% less while using screens, making dry eyes even worse during winter.
Experiencing dry eyes or screen fatigue this winter?
Book an eye exam in Aurora and let our optometrists identify the cause and recommend personalized solutions.
Shorter winter days mean more driving in low-light conditions. Many people notice:
Increased glare from headlights
Difficulty seeing road signs
Eye fatigue while driving
An outdated prescription or uncorrected vision issue can make winter driving stressful and unsafe. Updating your prescription can dramatically improve night-time clarity.
Fortunately, most winter vision issues can be managed with the right approach:
Comprehensive eye exam
Dry eye assessment
Prescription updates
Specialized lenses for screen use
Use a humidifier
Take regular screen breaks (20-20-20 rule)
Wear sunglasses outdoors to protect from wind
Stay hydrated
An experienced optometrist in Aurora can recommend treatments tailored to your lifestyle.
If symptoms persist despite home care, it’s time for a professional evaluation. Warning signs include:
Ongoing irritation
Frequent headaches
Sudden vision changes
Difficulty focusing
Winter is actually one of the best times to book an eye exam due to better appointment availability and clearer symptom detection.
Don’t let winter strain your vision.
Schedule an eye exam in Aurora today and protect your eyes from dry air, screen fatigue, and seasonal vision problems.
Cold outdoor air and dry indoor heating reduce moisture, causing tears to evaporate faster.
Yes. Reduced blinking during screen use significantly worsens dry eye symptoms.
Some are seasonal, but others may reveal underlying conditions that need treatment.
Yes. An exam helps determine the cause and prevents long-term irritation or vision issues.
Most adults should have one every 1–2 years, or sooner if symptoms appear.