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Snow Blindness, Dryness, And More: 3 Common Eye Problems In Winter

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During the winter months, all different types of concerns arise. Many people get sick, skin dryness becomes a prevalent problem, and more. Your eyes are affected by winter weather, too. From dryness to excessive watering and more, there are all sorts of different common eye problems in winter. Fortunately, most can be helped.

Here’s what you need to know about some of the most common eye problems in winter, as well as what you can do to help with each issue.

#1. Snow Blindness

common eye problems in winter

Also known as photokeratitis, snow blindness occurs when your eyes have been exposed to too much UV light. Basically, snow blindness is a sunburn on your eyes. You know how light reflects off of snow and can temporarily blind you? Snow blindness is when the UV rays from that glare damage your eyes.

Some of the symptoms of snow blindness include:

  • Eye pain
  • Watering
  • Swelling eyes
  • Twitching eyelids
  • Seeing halos around lights
  • Pain in bright light
  • And more

In spite of the name, snow blindness doesn’t just happen during the winter. It can also occur anywhere there is bright sunlight, such as on a beach.

How You Can Help It

Usually, snow blindness doesn’t cause permanent damage. It typically goes away within a few days. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to see a doctor.

There are some things you can do to both prevent snow blindness and treat it.

  • Take out your contacts and opt for glasses.
  • Wear sunglasses outside.
  • Use eye drops to protect the surface of your eyes.
  • Take painkillers as needed.
  • Stay out of the sun. 
  • Talk to your doctor.

#2. Dry Eyes

common eye problems in winter

During the winter, humidity levels in the air drop. Snowstorms bring winds that can dry out your eyes. Indoor heating reduces the amount of moisture in the air. With less moisture in the air, both inside and outside, dry eyes is among the most common eye problems in winter.

Some symptoms of dry eyes include:

  • Itching
  • Redness
  • Burning
  • Stickiness
  • Feeling like there’s something in your eye

If you already have dry eyes, this condition can be exacerbated by winter weather.

How You Can Help It

If you suffer from dry eyes, there are several things you can do to help. It’s always a good idea to talk to your eye doctor, especially if none of the following measures provide relief, as they will be able to provide you with expert medical advice specific to you.

  • Opt for glasses instead of contact lenses.
  • Try to wear your contacts less.
  • Use humidifiers inside.
  • Wear sunglasses outside. 
  • Use artificial tears. 
  • Lower the temperature of your thermostat, if you can.

#3. Watery Eyes

common eye problems in winter

On the opposite end of the spectrum, another one of the common eye problems in winter is watery eyes. While some people find that winter weather dries their eyes out, others find that their eyes produce an excessive amount of tears in an effort to stay protected. Like dry eyes, watery eyes result from decreased levels of moisture in the air. 

Symptoms of watery eyes include:

  • Excessive watering, of course.
  • Infection, from using dirty clothes to wipe away tears
  • Blocked tear ducts
  • Blurry vision

How You Can Help It

Many people find that their watery eyes stop being a problem once they go inside. Wearing glasses or sunglasses can reduce the likelihood of tearing.

However, sometimes people need treatment in order to find relief. Consult with your doctor in order to determine the best course of action for you, personally.

Some of the treatment options for watery eyes include:

  • Medications.
  • Removal of foreign objects.
  • Opening blocked tear ducts.
  • Eyelid repair, in extreme cases where your eyelid is sagging

If your watery eyes don’t go away and cause you pain and impact your ability to see clearly, you should contact your eye doctor.

Prescription Glasses, Sunglasses, And More To Protect Your Eye Health This Winter

common eye problems in winter

Wolcott Optical can help you protect your eyes from these common eye problems in winter with our quality eyewear. If you love going outside and getting the most out of the snow, you may benefit from prescription sunglasses or prescription safety glasses. If you want to be able to alternate between contact lenses and glasses, we carry a wide selection of many different frames so that you can select a pair that suit you. 

To learn more about our eyewear and how it can protect you from common eye problems in winter, please don’t hesitate to contact us today!

Filed Under: Sunglasses, Eyeglasses

It’s no secret that eyeglasses, contact lenses, and prescription sunglasses can be pricey. This leads many people to wonder whether or not you can turn normal sunglasses into prescription sunglasses, in an effort to save some money by not having to buy a new frame. Alternatively, perhaps you have a pair of sunglasses that you love, and there isn’t anything like it among the prescription sunglasses options available to you. Here’s what you need to know about whether or not you can turn normal sunglasses into prescription sunglasses. 

sunglasses into prescription

Can You Make Normal Sunglasses Into Prescription?

The answer is: it depends! In some cases, yes, you can indeed have your normal sunglasses fitted with prescription frames. In others, no, it wouldn’t be possible to turn your sunglasses into prescription sunglasses. If you’ve fallen in love with a pair of sunglasses or if you’re trying to save money by not buying a new frame for your prescription lenses, here’s what you need to know about when you can indeed turn normal sunglasses into prescription sunglasses, and when that simply isn’t possible. 

Consider The Frame

The main reason why people ask if you can turn normal sunglasses into prescription ones: they either love the frame they found at the mall, or they found a cheap pair of sunglasses at the grocery store and want to know if said frame can be fitted with prescription lenses.

The truth is that many designer sunglasses can accommodate prescription lenses, however, most cheap sunglasses can’t. This is because in order to turn normal sunglasses into prescription lenses, the frame needs to have both stability and the necessary structure to support prescription lenses. Most cheap, low-quality frames don’t have this. If you’ve gotten a pair of low-quality sunglasses only to need to replace them a short while later, you’ve seen how they won’t last. 

Given that prescription lenses are a bit of an investment, you want to ensure that your sunglasses are high quality and made to last, so that you’ll only need to get a new pair if your prescription changes.

Optical services Salt Lake City UT prescription sunglasses

Converting Normal Sunglasses Into Prescription Sunglasses

Many regular sunglasses can be turned into prescription sunglasses. As previously mentioned, you want to ensure that your existing pair of sunglasses has a high quality frame that is able to support a prescription lens. This is especially true if you have a high prescription, as high prescriptions mean thicker lenses. This means that if you have thick lenses, a thin sunglasses frame won’t be able to support them very well. 

In order to convert your normal sunglasses into prescription lenses, they will need:

  • A base curve of 8 or less
  • A standardized shape and size
  • Removable lenses

If your regular sunglasses are able to be converted into prescription sunglasses, the original lenses will need to be removed and you’ll need to send your sunglasses in, so that they can be fitted with prescription lenses. If your sunglasses have branding on them, it will be lost in this process. If branding is important to you, such as the Ray-Ban logo, you’ll be pleased to learn that many designer brands, Ray-Ban included, offer prescription sunglasses that come with the branding on the lenses.

What Sunglasses Can’t Be Turned Into Prescription Sunglasses?

That fun pair of sunglasses you found that looks like fairy wings? Those wrap-around sunglasses? Those grocery store sunglasses? These are all typically not compatible with prescription lenses. This is because lenses are manufactured to specific sizes and shapes, and it would be quite difficult and expensive to try to make prescription lenses in a unique shape. 

Eyeglasses Salt Lake City Utah Wolcott Optical

It’s a similar situation with those wraparound sunglasses, due to the curvature of the lenses. If you try to turn wraparound sunglasses into prescription lenses, this can affect your vision and cause something like a fishbowl distortion. There are wraparound sunglasses that are made to be able to accommodate prescription lenses, so if you love this style, your best bet is to buy a pair that is already designed to be prescription, rather than trying to turn your sunglasses into prescription sunglasses. 

What To Do If You Want To Turn Your Sunglasses Into Prescription Sunglasses

If you want to turn your sunglasses into prescription sunglasses, you’ll need to speak with your optometrist. They’ll be able to tell you whether or not it’s possible to turn your sunglasses into prescription sunglasses. They’ll also be able to advise you on the best materials and tints for your needs. In many cases, it’s much easier to select a pair of prescription sunglasses rather than trying to turn normal sunglasses into prescription sunglasses.

The selection of prescription sunglasses is constantly expanding, and many are very fashion forward. You can find prescription sunglasses to fit your personal style and needs. Just because your sunglasses aren’t your normal pair doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be the same quality or that you shouldn’t take the same level of care in selecting them. 

RayBans Sunglasses Salt Lake City Utah Wolcott Optical

Wolcott Optical provides a wide selection of prescription sunglasses, including multiple different designer brands. Prescription sunglasses can protect your vision and reflect your personal style. To learn more about our prescription sunglasses, please don’t hesitate to contact us today!

Filed Under: Sunglasses

Sunglasses are a summer staple and a practical fashion statement year-around. They can easily elevate an outfit or hairstyle and help the wearer reach a higher level of classiness. There are many factors to consider when it comes to finding the perfect sunglasses for your needs. Not only are sunglasses a great fashion accessory, but they are a useful piece of equipment that individuals need on a daily basis. There are several issues that can arise over time if individuals do not take proper care of their eyes including cataracts, blindness, and cancer. Eye protection is extremely important.

1) Consider UV Rays

The first tip for any person looking for a new pair of sunglasses is to consider what will best protect your eyes. Even fashion-forward glasses should give basic protection. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that people buy glasses with 100% UV protection. Not all sunglasses give that much protection, so it is important to check for a UV protection sticker and/or speak to a professional. Sunglasses or shields with 100% UV protection are a good idea when you are skiing or boating because the sun reflection off of snow and water can cause severe damage to your eyes.

4-Tips-For-Finding-The-Perfect-Sunglasses

2) Think About Your Personal Needs

When finding the perfect sunglasses, there are a few personal questions to ask yourself. Firstly, whether you are looking for a fashion statement or for more practical reasons. If you are using sunglasses for fashion then things like brands and styles will be more important for your decisions. You will most likely also want more than one pair of sunglasses to match different outfits. 

If you are looking for sunglasses that simply provide protection then you will likely want a pair or two of sunglasses that are durable and will last for a long time. People who spend a lot of time outdoors may want to invest in a pair of polarized sunglasses. Polarized sunglasses reduce glare and increase vision clarity. These are useful for people who fish and people with active lifestyles.

3) Explore Sizes and Styles

There are all sorts of different kinds of sunglasses. Larger sunglasses are more protective for your eyes and the sensitive skin around your eyes than smaller versions. Shield and sport style sunglasses are common picks for more sporty folks for hiking and other outdoor activities. Other shapes of sunglasses include cat eye, butterfly, round and rectangular. There are also many different colors of frames and lenses. However, it is important to note that even if a pair of sunglasses has dark frames, it does not mean that they provide any protection. It is still crucial to verify that sunglasses have UV protection.

4) Understand The Different Brands Available

When buying sunglasses, brands may or may not be important to your search. What is useful to understand about different brands is which ones have quality durability, have different styles, and are suitable for your needs. One of the most popular sunglasses brands is Ray-Ban. They have a very iconic style. Another great brand is Kaenon Polarized, which is clearly a polarized sunglasses brand. Before making a decision about which sunglasses you want to buy, make sure to research the different sunglasses brands that are available to you.

Need Help Finding The Perfect Sunglasses?

Here at Wolcott Optical, we have all sorts of different brands and types of sunglasses available. With a knowledgeable team and a wonderful assortment of products, we are a great choice for finding your perfect pair of sunglasses. For more questions regarding sunglasses or to get more information about our products contact us today!

Filed Under: Sunglasses Tagged With: finding sunglasses, polarized sunglasses, sunglasses, Utah optical, What should I know about sunglasses, where to buy sunglasses

Eyeglasses Salt Lake City Utah Wolcott Optical

Hours

Wolcott Optical Services, LC
3145 S Highland Dr
Millcreek, UT 84106
801-441-3233
Monday Closed
Tuesday 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Sunday Closed

Hours

Monday Closed
Tuesday 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Sunday Closed

Holiday Hours

December 24th Closed
December 31st Closed

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