Winter and dry eye: An unwelcome connection

Modern lifestyle habits, including a significant increase in screen time, combined with the winter season—when people spend more hours indoors with heating—contribute to a rising incidence of dry eye disease. In Spain, over 5 million people already suffer from this condition, caused by a lack or deficiency of tears or poor tear quality. Winter is also the time when the disease tends to worsen, making it advisable to pay extra attention to eye health during this period.

According to Professor José Manuel Benítez del Castillo, Chair of Ophthalmology at the Complutense University of Madrid, “studies show that the worst months are from October to February, which is why special care is needed during this time, along with following guidelines to alleviate symptoms and pursuing appropriate treatment.”
 
Dry eye disease (DED) is a common ocular condition and one of the most frequent reasons for visiting an ophthalmologist. It causes irritation, a gritty sensation, burning, light sensitivity, dryness, pain, and eye fatigue. These symptoms hinder everyday activities such as reading, driving, watching TV, or working on a computer screen. Furthermore, moderate to severe DED is associated with reduced vitality, poor overall health, and often depression.
 
Globally, the prevalence of dry eye disease reaches up to 33% in some populations, with 5% to 10% experiencing moderate to severe forms. However, experts believe that modern lifestyle habits are negatively impacting symptoms and, consequently, the disease’s incidence. This situation has worsened since the Covid-19 pandemic, which led to an increase in average screen exposure time.
 
Aging populations also play a role. Ocular conditions like dry eye disease and its symptoms become more common with age. As a result, the prevalence of the disease rises with an aging population, a trend linked to the growing incidence of related conditions such as diabetes, which is associated with DED.
 
Women, in particular, are among the most vulnerable groups. As Benítez del Castillo notes, “they have a higher risk of developing dry eye disease.” This risk increases notably during menopause, when women experience a decline in sex hormones. This hormonal drop affects the ocular surface epithelium and tear glands, exacerbating the condition. 
 

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