Ski Slopes, Ice Rinks & Winter Walks: Why Outdoor Lovers Choose Scleral Lenses in Winter

Ski Slopes, Ice Rinks & Winter Walks: Why Outdoor Lovers Choose Scleral Lenses in Winter

Winter has a way of sharpening the senses. The crunch of snow beneath your boots, the shimmer of ice under arena lights, the invigorating chill of a morning walk wrapped in scarves and intention. Yet for many outdoor enthusiasts, winter’s beauty comes with a less poetic companion: dry, irritated, and unreliable vision.
 

At University Optometric Center, we see it every season. Patients who thrive outdoors—skiers, skaters, hikers, and brisk urban walkers—come to us frustrated by contact lenses that dry out, glasses that fog up, and eyes that simply can’t keep up with their cold-weather ambitions. Increasingly, they’re discovering a refined solution designed for both comfort and performance: scleral lenses.
 

Why Winter Is Hard on Your Eyes

Cold air holds less moisture, and winter winds accelerate tear evaporation. Add indoor heating, altitude changes on ski slopes, and extended outdoor exposure, and the ocular surface can quickly become compromised. Traditional soft contact lenses sit directly on the cornea, where they are vulnerable to dehydration—often leading to burning, redness, fluctuating vision, or that persistent “something’s-in-my-eye” sensation.
 

Glasses aren’t immune either. Fogging, slipping under helmets, and limited peripheral vision can turn a joyful winter outing into a constant adjustment exercise.

The Scleral Lens Difference

Scleral lenses are elegantly engineered with winter in mind. Unlike standard contacts, they vault over the cornea and rest on the sclera (the white part of the eye), creating a liquid reservoir of preservative-free saline between the lens and your eye. This fluid layer continuously bathes the cornea in moisture—think of it as a personal spa retreat for your eyes, even in subzero conditions.

The result?
 

• Exceptional comfort in cold, dry, and windy environments

• Stable, crisp vision that doesn’t fluctuate with blinking or temperature changes

• Protection from environmental irritants like wind, snow, and dust
   

A Favorite Among Outdoor Enthusiasts

Scleral lenses have become particularly popular among winter athletes and active adults with dry eye, keratoconus, post-surgical corneas, or those who simply demand more from their vision correction. Skiers appreciate the consistent clarity at high altitudes. Ice skaters enjoy wide, unobstructed peripheral vision. Winter walkers love that their eyes feel just as comfortable at mile three as they did at the front door.

And let’s not overlook aesthetics—no fog, no frames, no compromises.

Precision Care at University Optometric Center

Fitting scleral lenses is both an art and a science. At University Optometric Center, our optometrists use advanced imaging technology and a meticulous customization process to ensure each lens fits your eyes with precision and comfort. Education and follow-up care are integral, so you feel confident handling and caring for your lenses—whether you’re packing for a ski weekend or heading out for a twilight stroll.

Winter, Seen Clearly

Winter invites us to move, explore, and breathe deeply. Your vision should rise to the occasion—not hold you back. If you love the outdoors but dread how winter feels on your eyes, scleral lenses may be the quietly luxurious solution you didn’t know you needed.

This season, embrace the cold with clarity, comfort, and confidence. Your eyes deserve nothing less.

Contact our office in Irvine or Newport Beach at (949)-854-7122 or (949) 476-2870 to book an appointment.