Eyes feeling a little dry? That’s not uncommon in the winter. In colder months, dry eye syndrome can be worse due to the dry, cold air and dry heat when we’re indoors. Even the heat in your car can aggravate the eyes. Symptoms include a gritty feeling, burning and tired eyes. If you feel itchiness, it could be allergies. Both dry eye syndrome and allergies cause eye watering, so differentiating between the two can be confusing. If you’re not sure, make an appointment with your eye care professional to find out for sure and to rule out other eye conditions.

Classic dry eye syndrome can be relieved with warm compresses and artificial tears. Using a humidifier can help as well. More severe cases may require treatment with prescription eye drops or topical steroids. Most cases of dry eyes are a simple annoyance but more serious cases can lead to corneal infections, so keep a close eye on your symptoms and see an eye doctor if your symptoms worsen.