Watery eyes from the cold? Here’s the intriguing reason why – and how to fix it

From dry skin to red hands and many layers: winter brings a lot of discomfort.

And if you find your eyes watering as soon as you step outside, you’re not alone.

Eye experts told DailyMail.com that watery eyes during winter are completely normal, and some simple remedies can alleviate it.

Cold air is known to dry out the skin due to the lack of moisture or humidity in the atmosphere.

This leads to dehydration of the tissues, causing the skin to crack and flake.

The winter cold has a similar effect on your eyes.

Dr. Michael Brusco, an ophthalmologist at Brusco Vision in Virginia, told DailyMail.com, “It sounds counterintuitive, but the reason our eyes water so much when it gets cold outside is because our eyes dry out.”

This is what doctors call “dry eye syndrome,” which is believed to affect 16 million Americans every year, according to the National Eye Institute.

When you step outside, the cold air strips the eyes of moisture, meaning the tear ducts struggle to produce enough tears.

Tears are not only necessary for good crying, but also to keep the eyes wet and smooth and to promote clear vision.

In addition, tears form a protective covering over the outermost layer of the eye, the cornea, to protect against harmful contaminants such as dirt and dust.

‘The cold air is so dry that the eye’s moisturizing tear film can evaporate.’

This causes an overreaction in the eye known as the tear reflex. Signals sent between the nerves at the back of the eye and the brain cause the production of excess tears to compensate for the dryness.

“When it is very cold and windy, this reflex works overtime and excessive tearing can occur,” said Dr. Brusco.

Creams and moisturizers applied to the eye area (as many do to soothe dry skin in winter) can also cause watery eyes.

Creams that irritate the sensitive skin around the eyes can cause an inflammatory response, causing them to tear.

Some are more susceptible to dry eye syndrome than others.

Dr. For example, Brusco said that people who work in front of a computer screen all day have a thinner, lower-quality tear film over their eyes because their eyes are so tense.

“This thins the tear film so that when they go outside it doesn’t take as long for the dry, cold air to cause tears,” he said.

In addition, makeup and other irritants can clog the glands on the eyelids called meibomian glands, which can erode through the tear film.

Although annoying, Dr. Brusco said winter eye watering is generally harmless.

Dr. However, Ronald L. Benner, president of the American Optometric Association, told DailyMail.com that if symptoms persist for a long time, it is best to visit your ophthalmologist.

“Advanced dry eye can damage the front of the eye and impair vision, so it’s important to get it checked out,” he said.

Dr. Yunna Rapoport, an ophthalmologist at Manhattan eyesuggests using preservative-free artificial tears to rehydrate your eyes.

She also recommended placing a warm compress on your eyes for a few minutes at a time. This provides moisture and warmth, which relieves dry eyes and can prevent overwatering.

“Wearing sunglasses outdoors as a barrier to protect the eyes from the harsh conditions can be an effective solution,” said Dr. Brusco.

And staying hydrated keeps eyes moist and reduces the risk of them becoming inflamed.