Some drops can worsen irritation or mask infections requiring different treatment
Each winter, as heating systems hum to life and cold winds sweep through open doorways, the eyes quietly bear a burden that few think to name. Across the region, ophthalmologists are witnessing a seasonal surge in conjunctivitis, dry eye syndrome, and blefaritis — conditions born from the collision of dry indoor air, viral respiratory illness, and the body's own vulnerability. Specialists like Katherina Pavani of Andrés Bello University remind us that the eyes, so central to how we move through the world, deserve the same seasonal care we extend to the rest of the body.
- Eye doctors are reporting a sharp rise in winter patients presenting with redness, burning, discharge, and that relentless gritty sensation that makes daily focus feel like a struggle.
- Heating systems strip moisture from indoor air while cold outdoor winds assault the eye's surface — together creating a cycle of irritation that worsens the longer it goes unaddressed.
- Viral conjunctivitis is spreading hand-to-eye through shared objects and unwashed hands, hitching a ride on the same respiratory viruses already circulating through homes and workplaces.
- Many people are reaching for over-the-counter eye drops without consulting a doctor, a habit specialists warn can mask infections or deepen irritation rather than resolve it.
- The path forward is practical: ventilate living spaces daily, use artificial tears for persistent dryness, and seek professional consultation when discharge, pain, or light sensitivity appears.
Winter's familiar ailments — colds, congestion, flu — tend to dominate our seasonal health concerns, but eye doctors are pointing to a quieter epidemic unfolding in waiting rooms across the region. As temperatures fall, cases of viral conjunctivitis, dry eye syndrome, and blefaritis rise sharply, driven by conditions most of us barely notice: the dry air produced by heating systems, the biting wind outside, and the respiratory viruses circulating through close indoor spaces.
Heating systems are a particular culprit. By stripping humidity from indoor air, they disrupt the eye's natural lubrication, leaving people who spend long hours inside — at desks, in cars, at home — with burning, itching, and intermittent blurred vision. Stepping outside offers no relief; cold, windy air irritates the eye's surface and triggers excessive tearing. Contact lens wearers, allergy sufferers, and those with a history of dry eyes face the greatest risk.
Katherina Pavani, an ophthalmology specialist at Andrés Bello University, identifies viral conjunctivitis as the most common and contagious of the winter eye conditions. It typically arrives alongside respiratory illness and spreads through contaminated hands and shared objects. Frequent handwashing, avoiding eye rubbing, and not sharing towels or makeup can meaningfully reduce transmission.
Pavani also raises a concern about self-medication: many people treat eye discomfort with over-the-counter drops without professional guidance, not realizing that some formulations can worsen irritation or conceal infections that require targeted treatment. A problem that seems minor can persist for weeks and develop into something more serious.
The recommended approach is simple but requires intention — ventilate your home even on cold days, keep distance from direct heat sources, use artificial tears for dryness, and consult a specialist if symptoms include discharge, pain, or sensitivity to light. Winter eye problems rarely announce themselves as emergencies, but left unattended, they have a way of overstaying their welcome.
Winter arrives and most of us brace for the familiar seasonal ailments—colds, flu, the usual congestion. But there's a part of the body that suffers just as much in the cold months and rarely gets the attention it deserves: the eyes. As temperatures drop, eye doctors across the region are seeing a sharp uptick in patients complaining of irritation, redness, excessive tearing, and that gritty, sandy sensation that makes focusing difficult.
The culprit is a perfect storm of winter conditions. Heating systems, essential for keeping homes warm, suck moisture from the air and disrupt the eye's natural lubrication system. People spending long hours indoors—at work, at home, in heated cars—begin experiencing burning sensations, itching, and temporary blurred vision. The problem compounds when you step outside into cold, windy air, which irritates the eye's delicate surface and triggers excessive tearing and redness. Those already dealing with allergies, contact lens wearers, and anyone with a history of dry eyes find themselves particularly vulnerable.
Katherina Pavani, an instructor in medical technology with a focus on ophthalmology at Andrés Bello University, notes that winter brings a predictable surge in three specific conditions: viral conjunctivitis, dry eye syndrome, and blefaritis. Viral conjunctivitis is the most common and the most contagious. It typically arrives alongside respiratory infections—colds, flu, other viral illnesses—and announces itself through red eyes, discharge, itching, that persistent feeling of something in the eye, and excessive tearing. The infection spreads easily through contaminated hands and shared objects, which is why basic hygiene becomes critical: washing hands frequently, resisting the urge to rub your eyes, and keeping makeup, towels, and glasses to yourself can make a meaningful difference.
One dangerous habit Pavani warns against is self-treating eye problems with over-the-counter drops without seeing a doctor first. People assume eye drops are harmless, but some formulations can actually worsen irritation or mask a more serious infection that requires different treatment entirely. What feels like a minor problem can linger for weeks if left untreated, and complications can develop.
The practical steps are straightforward. Ventilate your home and workspace daily, even on cold days—fresh air matters. Position yourself away from the direct blast of heaters and stoves. Use artificial tears if dryness persists. And crucially, see an eye doctor if you develop discharge, pain, light sensitivity, or symptoms that don't improve within a few days. Winter eye problems may seem minor on the surface, but ignoring them extends the discomfort and invites complications that could have been prevented with a simple visit to a specialist.
Notable Quotes
Heating decreases environmental humidity and alters the eye's natural lubrication, causing burning, itching, or temporary blurred vision, especially in people spending hours in closed environments— Katherina Pavani, medical technology instructor, Andrés Bello University
Although many winter eye conditions seem minor, ignoring them can prolong discomfort and create complications— Katherina Pavani
The Hearth Conversation Another angle on the story
Why do our eyes suffer more in winter than any other season?
It's the combination of three things happening at once. Heating dries out the air, cold wind irritates the surface of the eye, and respiratory viruses spread more easily indoors when people are crowded together in heated spaces. Your eyes weren't designed for that environment.
So it's not just about the cold itself?
No. The cold is actually less of a problem than the heating. When you're inside a warm room with a heater running, the humidity drops dramatically. Your eye's natural tear film—the thing that keeps it lubricated—can't keep up. That's when the burning and grittiness start.
Is viral conjunctivitis really that contagious?
Very. It spreads through your hands and contaminated surfaces. One person touches their infected eye, then touches a doorknob or a shared keyboard, and the next person picks it up. That's why handwashing becomes almost a medical intervention in winter.
What's the mistake people make most often?
They buy eye drops at the pharmacy without talking to a doctor. They think all eye drops are the same, but some can actually make things worse. And if you're masking an infection with the wrong drops, you're just delaying treatment and giving the problem time to get worse.
How do you know when to actually see a doctor?
If you have discharge, pain, sensitivity to light, or if it just doesn't get better in a few days, you need professional help. Don't wait. A lot of people think eye problems are minor and ignore them, but that's how you end up with complications that could have been simple to treat.