Why Do Your Eyes Water When It’s Cold ?

In the middle of a frosty winter, you may find your eyes welling up with tears as if on cue. It’s a common occurrence and one that prompts many to ask: why do our eyes cry when it’s cold ? This article delves deep into this phenomenon, exploring the scientific reasons behind these winter tears and providing solutions to manage this often inconvenient situation.

The Phenomenon of Winter Tears

Understanding Winter Tears

The occurrence of so-called ‘winter tears’ is actually a simple biological response. When temperatures plummet during winter, our body reacts by instructing the lacrimal glands to produce more tears. The aim ? Preventing cold, dry air from desiccating the ocular surface which could potentially harm the cornea.

The Role of Tears

Perhaps surprisingly, tears are essential for maintaining moist and smooth eyes, protecting the cornea from dirt and particles. A disruption in eye humidification due to cold, dry winter air can lead to eye dryness. When this happens, nerves located at the back of the eye send signals to brain indicating this condition – prompting an excessive production of tears aiming at rehydrating eyes.

After diving into what exactly is happening when we tear up in cold weather, let’s examine why it occurs.

Possible Causes for Tearing During Cold Weather

Reaction to Dry Air

Cold air lacks humidity, making it extremely drying. Being exposed to such conditions prompts our eyes to counteract potential dryness by producing excess tears.

Sensitivity Issues

Some people might simply have more sensitive eyes than others making them more susceptible to changes in weather and temperature or even ‘wind-induced tearing’ – a condition when eyes tear up in response to gusty winds.

Now that we’ve looked at the causes, it’s time to explore some remedies for these winter tears.

How to Soothe Teary Eyes in Winter

Use Eye Drops

Over-the-counter eye drops or artificial tears can provide temporary relief from dry and teary eyes. They help moisturize the eyes and provide a protective layer against dry air.

Stay Hydrated

Maintaining good hydration levels is essential during winter. It aids your body in producing sufficient tears to keep your eyes moist.

It’s one thing to cure, but prevention is always better than cure. Let’s look at some preventive measures you could take.

Prevention and Practical Tips Against Tearing Due to Cold

Dress Appropriately

When going out in cold weather, protect your eyes with appropriate accessories like sunglasses or ski goggles. These can prevent exposure to icy winds which induce tearing.

Avoid Direct Exposure To Heaters

Avoid sitting directly in front of heaters as they dry up the ambient air, which could cause more dryness and result in excess tearing.

As we wrap up our journey into understanding why our eyes tear up more when it’s cold, remember that while it is usually an innocuous phenomenon – if excessive tearing persists over a long period it might indicate serious eye dryness. In such cases, consultation with an ophthalmologist is recommended. To summarize: our bodies react naturally to the dry winter air by producing more tears to maintain ocular health. With proper care and precautions, this annual inconvenience can be effectively managed while still enjoying the winter season.