Discover how dry eye light therapy and small daily habits can help soothe eye discomfort caused by cold weather, heaters, and extra screen time.
Introduction
Once the furnace clicks on and the outdoor air turns sharp and icy, our eyes tend to speak up. That scratchy, tired feeling becomes more common, especially during the colder months in Canada. Between blasting heat indoors and frosty winds outside, winter can be a rough stretch for eye comfort.
For many of us, adding dry eye light therapy to our routine is a simple, mess-free option that’s catching attention. It doesn’t take long and doesn’t get in the way of your day. In this guide, we’re walking through what actually makes winter such a challenge for our eyes, how red light might help, and what daily habits can make a real difference.
Why Winter Makes Dry Eyes Worse
Dry eyes don’t come out of nowhere. Winter piles on reasons our eyes can feel gritty or tight, especially when we’re moving between indoor warmth and bitter winds.
• Heating systems pull nearly all moisture from the air inside, which leaves less humidity for our eyes to stay cushioned and moist. It’s like living in a dry box most of the day.
• Outside, that cold wind can strip away what little moisture is on the surface of our eyes. Even stepping outside for ten minutes can make them sting or water as they try to recover.
• Many of us spend more time than usual glued to screens during the holidays. Whether it's watching movies, working through year-end tasks, or using phones and tablets more often indoors, we tend to blink less. Fewer blinks mean less moisture spread across our eyes, and that can make things worse. It doesn’t take long for these things to stack up. By mid-winter, dry eyes can start to feel like a normal part of the day. That’s one reason people are beginning to look for non-drying, easy options like dry eye light therapy.
• Outside, that cold wind can strip away what little moisture is on the surface of our eyes. Even stepping outside for ten minutes can make them sting or water as they try to recover.
• Many of us spend more time than usual glued to screens during the holidays. Whether it's watching movies, working through year-end tasks, or using phones and tablets more often indoors, we tend to blink less. Fewer blinks mean less moisture spread across our eyes, and that can make things worse. It doesn’t take long for these things to stack up. By mid-winter, dry eyes can start to feel like a normal part of the day. That’s one reason people are beginning to look for non-drying, easy options like dry eye light therapy.
What Dry Eye Light Therapy Is and How It Works
Red light therapy for dry eyes isn’t complicated. It relies on a specific wavelength of visible red light, which is different from UV or blue light. This kind of light doesn’t hurt or heat the tissue.
Instead, it’s used in a way that supports natural processes already happening in the body.
Dry eye light therapy usually involves short bursts of gentle red light near the eyes. The light is thought to help encourage the areas around the eyes to stay comfortable without needing to apply drops or other products. The big appeal is how simple it is, you aren’t adding anything into
the eyes, and there’s no cleanup afterward. For those wanting a clinically certified, Health Canada approved option, there are wearable glasses specifically designed for eye comfort, offering sessions that fit easily into a daily routine. Arunalight delivers a full session in just three minutes, making it suitable for busy schedules.
Many people like having an at-home tool they can use first thing in the morning to ease into their day without making their eyes work harder. It’s not meant to replace other options or
professional care, but for some, it’s an easy, quiet way to support eye health during dry months.
Daily Habits That Can Make Light Therapy More Effective
A little consistency goes a long way. Like any support method, dry eye light therapy can work better when we build a simple daily habit around it.
• Doing it first thing in the morning can work well during winter when the air is coldest and homes are driest. It’s also a good way to start the day with less discomfort.
• Pairing your routine with other healthy habits helps. Drinking enough water throughout the day gives your body the moisture it needs to supply your eyes. If you’re using screens a lot, try to follow the 20-20-20 rule, which means every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds to help keep your eyes refreshed.
• Set up a calm space in your home where you can use the red light gear without distractions. A quiet corner, a comfy chair, and soft lighting can help make it something you look forward to instead of forgetting about. When it comes to sticking with new habits, sometimes just remembering to do something every day can be the hardest part. Putting your red light device in a spot where you’ll see it in the morning, or pairing your session with something you already do (like brushing your teeth or making coffee), can make it easy to stay on track without much extra effort. These tiny bits of routine help build habits that last and make eye care just another simple part of the day. Winter can already feel like a lot to deal with. Building in small things that help ease the load on your eyes doesn’t need to be complicated, and that makes it more likely you’ll keep doing them.
• Pairing your routine with other healthy habits helps. Drinking enough water throughout the day gives your body the moisture it needs to supply your eyes. If you’re using screens a lot, try to follow the 20-20-20 rule, which means every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds to help keep your eyes refreshed.
• Set up a calm space in your home where you can use the red light gear without distractions. A quiet corner, a comfy chair, and soft lighting can help make it something you look forward to instead of forgetting about. When it comes to sticking with new habits, sometimes just remembering to do something every day can be the hardest part. Putting your red light device in a spot where you’ll see it in the morning, or pairing your session with something you already do (like brushing your teeth or making coffee), can make it easy to stay on track without much extra effort. These tiny bits of routine help build habits that last and make eye care just another simple part of the day. Winter can already feel like a lot to deal with. Building in small things that help ease the load on your eyes doesn’t need to be complicated, and that makes it more likely you’ll keep doing them.
What to Watch For and When to Get Help
Dry eyes that come and go may not seem like a big deal, but when discomfort sticks around or starts to affect how well you see, it’s worth paying attention.
• Common signs include burning, itching, stinging, or that heavy feeling like you need to close your eyes more often. Some people also notice blurry spots that come and go or feel like something’s stuck in their eye.
• If those feelings don’t go away, or you need to use drops constantly just to get through the day, it may be time to check in with a professional. Eye dryness can be caused by different things that aren’t always obvious, and a trained expert can help you figure out what’s going on.
• Before trying any new eye support device or method, it helps to ask questions and feel confident about the safety and how it fits into your day. Since eyes are so sensitive, it’s always a good idea to check that any new routine makes sense for your situation. Sometimes, even after changing habits or adding new routines, eyes still feel uncomfortable for
days at a time. If vision starts to blur, or your eyes become red and hard to keep open, don’t wait it out. Getting professional guidance means you’ll get answers faster, and you can feel confident about your next steps. While dry eyes are very common in winter, there are lots of ways to find a bit more comfort, especially when you team up with an expert. We’re not alone in facing dry eyes during winter, but that doesn’t mean we work through it
alone. When in doubt, a quick chat with an eye care professional can bring some peace of mind.
• If those feelings don’t go away, or you need to use drops constantly just to get through the day, it may be time to check in with a professional. Eye dryness can be caused by different things that aren’t always obvious, and a trained expert can help you figure out what’s going on.
• Before trying any new eye support device or method, it helps to ask questions and feel confident about the safety and how it fits into your day. Since eyes are so sensitive, it’s always a good idea to check that any new routine makes sense for your situation. Sometimes, even after changing habits or adding new routines, eyes still feel uncomfortable for
days at a time. If vision starts to blur, or your eyes become red and hard to keep open, don’t wait it out. Getting professional guidance means you’ll get answers faster, and you can feel confident about your next steps. While dry eyes are very common in winter, there are lots of ways to find a bit more comfort, especially when you team up with an expert. We’re not alone in facing dry eyes during winter, but that doesn’t mean we work through it
alone. When in doubt, a quick chat with an eye care professional can bring some peace of mind.
Keeping Eyes Comfortable This Winter
Canadian winters come with their fair share of eye challenges. Between the lack of moisture, freezing wind, and more time inside with screens, it’s easy to fall into a cycle of discomfort. But small changes can make a big difference. When we stay consistent with simple daily routines like gentle light support, give our eyes a break from screens, and keep our bodies hydrated, it’s easier to keep that tight, burning feeling away. Dry eyes don’t have to be something we just get through. A little care each day helps us feel more comfortable through the coldest weeks.
When winter makes your eyes feel dry and tired, small daily changes may help you feel more comfortable. Adding dry eye light therapy to your routine can offer gentle support without the need for drops. A few minutes of soft red light each morning could help ease that gritty sensation.
At Arunalight, we want to make eye comfort simple all season long, so reach out if you have questions or want to learn more.