Ice and snow tourism is booming this winter, and many residents have embarked on a journey to the north. "Will wearing contact lenses freeze in a cold environment?" has recently become a hot topic for many netizens.
Wen Xin, deputy chief physician of the Department of Ophthalmology at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, pointed out that in the icy and snowy environment, the eyes will indeed be subject to various challenges, and those who wear contact lenses should choose suitable products and wear them in a proper and hygienic way.
(Photo: GDToday)
The challenge of dryness, cold winds and strong reflections
Snow and ice, temperature, humidity, and light conditions can be a real risk of eye discomfort. According to Wen Xin, dryness, cold wind, and strong reflections from ice and snow are the three main factors that threaten eye health.
Cold air can reduce air humidity, making eyes easily dry, and it may also make the contact lenses drier, harder, and colder, increasing discomfort when wearing them. The direct blow of cold air can also aggravate this discomfort.
In addition, the sunlight reflected by the snow is very dazzling, and the radiation of ultraviolet rays to the eyes increases. Long-term outdoor exposure may cause damage to the eyes, resulting in corneal epithelial damage, causing electro-optic ophthalmia commonly known as "snow blindness," which makes people have eye pain, sensitivity to light, excessive tearing, and difficulty in opening the eyes.
Choose the right product and wear contact lenses properly
In extreme weather with sub-zero temperatures, may contact lenses "freeze" or even "break" in the eyes?
Wen Xin pointed out that because the temperature of the human body is constant, contact lenses in close contact with the human body will not be "frozen" in the eyes. However, in cold areas, people should pay special attention to the selection, storage, and wearing of contact lenses.
It's recommended to choose contact lens products with high oxygen permeability and high moisture retention to improve the comfort of wearing.
Before wearing contact lenses, make sure your hands are clean and dry to avoid eye infections caused by contaminating contact lenses. The insertion and removal of contact lenses should be done in a warm room, and it is not recommended to wear them for more than 8 hours at a time. After removing contact lenses, they should also be carefully checked for damage or stains and washed or replaced in a timely manner.
Guard yourself against wind and snow, and prepare common eye medicine
In addition to the key points of selection and wearing, during outdoor activities, it is also necessary to take measures to protect your eyes against wind and snow. Wen suggested wearing UV protective glasses or professional windproof goggles to shield your eyes from cold wind and intense light.
In addition, it's advised to carry artificial tears with you and use them every few hours to prevent your eyes from drying out. Before traveling, you can bring commonly used antibiotic eye drops, eye ointment, etc. If you have snow blindness, you can apply artificial tears every hour under the guidance of a doctor and wrap your eyes with eye ointment. If you have an infection while wearing contact lenses, antibiotic eye drops can be used.
"Snowy weather is not unfriendly to contact lenses; on the contrary, wearing contact lenses can make the snow experience more enjoyable and comfortable." Wen stressed the importance of following the guidance to protect eyes and explore the ice and snow world.
Author | Hannah
Editor | Nan, Will, James
