Beware of Seasonal Winds: Dry Eye Could Be at Your Door

Seasonal winds and changing weather conditions cause rapid evaporation of tears, leading to the drying of the eye surface. This condition, which increases especially in autumn and winter, presents a picture of seasonal dry eye characterized by complaints such as burning, stinging, and redness. When the balance of the tear film protecting the eye surface is disrupted, your daily quality of life can be seriously affected.

• In short:
• Wind and low humidity accelerate tear evaporation, leading to dryness.
• Burning, stinging, redness, and a foreign body sensation are the most common symptoms.
• Using artificial tear drops and protective eyewear are among the first-line measures.
• If you experience severe pain or vision loss, you should consult a doctor without delay.
• Chronic and seasonal dryness may require different treatment approaches.

What is Seasonal Dry Eye?

The tear film that covers and protects the eye surface consists of three main layers: the outermost lipid (oil) layer, the middle aqueous (water) layer, and the innermost mucin (mucus) layer. This perfect structure ensures that the eye remains moist, nourished, and protected from external factors. However, harsh winds—like the famous lodos or poyraz winds we frequently experience in Türkiye—or sudden temperature changes can disrupt the balance of these layers. Wind causes the middle water layer, in particular, to evaporate much faster than normal.

This condition, medically known as "evaporative dry eye," is quite common during seasonal transitions. It is not just outdoor weather conditions; heating systems used heavily indoors during cold weather also lower the ambient humidity, accelerating this process. Even if your tear production is at normal levels, the increased evaporation rate means the eye surface cannot stay sufficiently moist, and dryness complaints begin.

Causes and Risk Factors of Dry Eye

Many environmental and biological factors affect eye health. Environmental factors take the first place among the causes of dry eye. Windy weather, low humidity levels, and air-conditioned or overheated indoor spaces pave the way for rapid tear evaporation. In addition, the use of digital screens, which has become indispensable today, is a significant risk factor. Focusing on a computer or phone screen for a long time slows down our blink reflex, which prevents the renewal of tears.

Biological and medical risk factors also play a role in the development of dry eye. As we age, tear production naturally decreases. Hormonal changes, especially during menopause in women, increase susceptibility to dryness. Furthermore, dry eye is among the side effects of certain prescription medications, such as allergy drugs (antihistamines), blood pressure medications, and antidepressants. Long-term use of contact lenses also affects oxygen exchange on the eye surface, raising the risk of dryness.

Symptoms That Emerge in Windy Weather

Tears that decrease due to seasonal effects cause irritation on the eye surface. Eye burning in windy weather and a stinging sensation are the complaints most frequently voiced by patients. Feeling as if there is a grain of sand or a foreign object in the eye is a typical sign of dryness. Prominent redness in the whites of the eyes and a sticky feeling in the eyelids upon waking in the morning may also accompany this picture.

Interestingly, some people with dry eyes may also experience excessive watering. This is a reflex response developed by the eye against dryness; however, because these produced tears are of poor quality, they cannot sufficiently lubricate the eye. Additionally, blurred vision may occasionally occur due to the irregularity of the tear film. These symptoms can often be confused with allergic reactions. To distinguish between dryness and allergies that increase during seasonal transitions, you can review our article titled Eye Allergy and Eye Infection: Differences and Treatment Methods.

How Does the Diagnostic Process Work at the Hospital?

When you present to the hospital complaining of dry eyes, a specialist physician first takes a detailed medical history. When your complaints started, in which environments they increase, the medications you use, and your general health status are evaluated. Then, using a special device called a biomicroscope, your eyelids, corneal surface, and tear film are examined in detail.

To confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity of the dryness, some specific tests are applied. The Schirmer test measures the amount of tear production using a thin strip of filter paper placed inside the lower eyelid. In the tear breakup time (TBUT) test, a harmless, special dye (fluorescein) is dropped into the eye, and the time it takes for the tear film to break up is observed. This test is highly effective in detecting evaporative dryness. When necessary, more advanced imaging techniques that measure tear quality may also be utilized.

What is Good for Dry Eyes and Treatment Methods

The goal of the treatment process is to increase moisture on the eye surface and slow down evaporation. So, what is good for dry eyes? Simple precautions you take at home and at work can make a big difference. Wearing wide-framed protective sunglasses when going out in windy weather cuts off the wind's contact with the eyes. Using cool mist humidifiers indoors to keep the humidity level around 45-50 percent is beneficial. When working at a screen, applying the "20-20-20 rule" (looking at something 20 feet/6 meters away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes) and consciously blinking frequently renews your tears.

The foundation of medical treatment consists of artificial tear drops. Artificial tears recommended by your eye doctor, preferably preservative-free (single-use vials), replace the missing moisture. In severe cases, prescription drops that increase tear production (such as cyclosporine) or tear duct plugs (punctal plugs) that prevent tears from draining into the nasal cavity can be used. In addition, warm compresses and special cleansing gels may be recommended to clear blockages in the oil glands (meibomian glands) at the edge of the eyelid.

Chronic and Seasonal Dryness: What Are the Complications?

Seasonal dry eye is generally a temporary condition that can be brought under control with the improvement of weather conditions and simple measures. However, if these complaints continue year-round, chronic dry eye disease should be suspected. Chronic dryness is not just a comfort issue but a serious medical condition that threatens eye health. Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or Sjögren's syndrome can be underlying causes of chronic dryness.

Untreated severe dry eye can lead to scratches, abrasions, and even corneal ulcers on the cornea, the outermost layer of the eye. Since tears contain antibodies that protect the eye against infections, people with dry eyes have a much higher risk of eye infections. Furthermore, persistent eye strain and dryness can also trigger headaches. For more information on this topic, you can check out our article Not Every Headache is Stress: Your Eyes Might Be Giving a Signal!.

When to See a Doctor? (Medical Warning)

Although dry eye is usually mild, some symptoms can be the harbinger of a serious eye problem and require urgent medical intervention. If any of the following symptoms accompany your dry eye complaints, you should consult an ophthalmologist without delay:

• Severe and throbbing pain in the eye
• Sudden vision loss or intense blurred vision that does not improve with blinking
• Extreme and painful sensitivity to light (photophobia)
• Continuous, thick yellow or green discharge from the eye
• Suspicion that a foreign object (metal splinter, glass, etc.) might have actually pierced the eye

Especially in cases where a chemical substance gets into the eye, a severe blow is received, or sudden vision loss occurs, you should go to the emergency room of the nearest hospital or call the 112 Emergency Call Center. In such situations, early intervention is vital to prevent permanent vision damage.

The Eye Health Journey at BHT CLINIC

Protecting your eye health and intervening early in potential problems is of great importance for your quality of life. At the BHT CLINIC İstanbul Tema Hastanesi Ophthalmology department, the diagnosis and treatment of all eye diseases, especially seasonal and chronic dry eye, are meticulously carried out by our expert medical staff. In our clinic, detailed evaluations are made in examination rooms equipped with the latest technological devices, and the most appropriate, personalized treatment plan is created for you.

Our hospital offers 24/7 emergency services for sudden eye traumas and emergencies. If your dry eye complaints have started to affect your daily life, do not delay getting the right diagnosis and treatment. You can quickly and easily book an appointment to consult our specialist physicians and secure your eye health.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is good for eyes dried out by the wind?

The most effective way to relieve an eye dried out by the wind is to use preservative-free artificial tear drops. Additionally, wearing wide-framed sunglasses when going outside cuts off wind contact. Applying a warm compress to the eyelids in the evenings also relaxes the tear glands and increases lubrication.

How often are artificial tear drops used?

The frequency of using artificial tear drops varies depending on the severity of the dryness and the content of the drops. Preservative-free, single-use drops can be used 4-6 times a day or more frequently as needed. However, using bottled drops containing preservatives more than 4 times a day can irritate the eye surface; therefore, you should strictly follow your doctor's advice.

Does dry eye cause headaches?

Yes, untreated dry eye causes the eye muscles to tire more easily. Increased eye strain (asthenopia), especially while trying to focus at a screen, can trigger tension-type headaches in the forehead and temple areas.

How to prevent dry eyes at a screen?

When working at a screen, our blink reflex slows down, which increases dryness. To prevent this, you should apply the 20-20-20 rule (looking 6 meters away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes) and consciously blink frequently. Having the screen slightly below your eye level also ensures that your eyelids remain more closed, reducing evaporation.

Does dry eye go away on its own?

Mild dryness due to environmental factors, such as seasonal winds or air-conditioned environments, can resolve on its own when the trigger is removed. However, chronic dry eye linked to aging, medication use, or systemic diseases does not go away on its own and absolutely requires medical treatment.

This article is for informational purposes only; please consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment.