Winter Dry Eye Relief With Scleral Lenses

Winter Dry Eye Relief With Scleral Lenses

Winter has a flair for theatrics. It sweeps in with brisk breezes, rooftops dusted in frost, and that strangely glamorous glow of shorter days. But amid the cozy scarves and hot cocoa rituals, there’s one winter “tradition” that is far less enchanting: the dramatic rise of dry, irritated eyes.
 

If your eyes tend to feel like the Sahara every December—or if they transform into reluctant blinkers whenever you step into heated indoor environments—scleral lenses may just be the winter hero your ocular surface has been wishing for.

Why Winter Makes Dry Eye Worse (Even If You’re Doing Everything “Right”)

Winter air is notoriously low in humidity. Pair that with constant exposure to heaters, whipping winds, and prolonged holiday screen time, and you have the perfect storm for tear film instability. The eye’s delicate moisture layer evaporates faster than New Year’s resolutions.

Common winter dry eye symptoms include:
 

• Stinging or burning sensations

• Redness

• Excessive watering (your eyes trying to compensate)

• Blurred vision

• A gritty, foreign-body feeling
   

But here’s where scleral lenses step into the spotlight.

A Cozy Winter Coat… for Your Corneas

Scleral lenses aren’t your typical contact lenses. They vault over the cornea entirely, resting instead on the sclera—the white part of the eye. This architectural marvel allows the lens to create a reservoir of preservative-free saline over the cornea, effectively acting as a mini humidifier that you carry right on your eye.
 

Consider them the cashmere sweater of the contact lens world: comforting, luxurious, and surprisingly protective.

How Scleral Lenses Soothe Winter Dryness

1. They Maintain Constant Hydration
That fluid reservoir hydrates the cornea all day long, preventing the evaporation that winter so sneakily accelerates.
 

2. They Shield the Ocular Surface from Environmental Aggressors
Wind, dust, cold air—none stand a chance against the smooth dome of a scleral lens.
 

3. They Support Severe Dry Eye Conditions
Patients with keratoconus, post-surgical dryness, Sjögren’s syndrome, or chronic dry eye often experience dramatic relief with scleral lenses, and winter tends to make that relief even more noticeable.
 

4. They Can Improve Vision Stability
Because they smooth out corneal irregularities, many patients enjoy clearer, more consistent vision while wearing them—especially helpful during evening drives on darker winter roads.
 

Tips for a Comfortable Scleral Lens Winter

• Use high-quality, preservative-free saline for filling your lenses

• Keep artificial tears handy for brief outdoor exposure

• Avoid sitting directly in front of heaters or fans

• Stay hydrated (your eyes are part of the whole system, after all)

• Clean lenses thoroughly to prevent debris buildup, which is more common in dry climates
   

Let Us Help You Enjoy a More Comfortable Winter

At the University Optometric Center, our scleral lens specialists evaluate your ocular surface, tear film, and lifestyle to design a lens that fits like a tailored winter coat—functional, protective, and pleasantly indulgent.
 

If winter dryness has dimmed your seasonal sparkle, schedule a consultation with us. Your eyes deserve a warm, soothing retreat, even when the world outside is crisp and cold.