Many people experience various changes in their bodies with the onset of winter, including increased tear production as temperatures drop. According to the British newspaper "Daily Mail," eye experts stated that tearing during winter is entirely natural, and several simple treatments can alleviate it.
They explained that cold air leads to skin dryness due to low humidity, which results in dry tissues and cracked skin, similarly affecting the eyes. Eye doctor Michael Bruskow stated, "The reason our eyes water so much when the weather gets cold outside is that our eyes dry out." When one steps outside, the cold air strips moisture from the eyes, causing the tear ducts to struggle to produce enough tears.
This results in an exaggerated response in the eyes known as the "tear reflex," where signals sent between the nerves located at the back of the eye and the brain lead to excessive tear production to compensate for the dryness. Some individuals are more susceptible to dry eye syndrome than others. For instance, Bruskow noted that people who work in front of computer screens all day have a thinner or lower-quality tear film over their eyes because their eyes are "overstraining."
Ronald L. Pehner, president of the American Optometric Association, indicated that "if symptoms persist for long periods, it's best to visit your eye doctor." He added, "Advanced dry eyes can damage the front surface of the eye and impair vision, so it's important to have them checked."
