Sore eyes from cycling in winter - help!

[candycane222]

So we had the first frost of the year today. I wen for just a shortish ride, it was cold but a lot warmer than first thing, and very sunny.

And now my eyes are sore. Not a lot to see - eyelids a bit puffy and red. This has happened before but I forgot till today. It puts me off my valued exercise!

I wear normal specs anyway, I don't really want to wear sunglasses and not sure they help as i think it's the cold air. But wondered if anyone else had any experience of this, or tips.

I'm not a madly allergic person, get a bit of hayfever. But this sore eyes thing seems very specific to winter bike rides. Walks don't do the same thing. So I think it must be the "rush" (haha I don't go that fast!) of cold air?

sounds like dry eyes to me.
look up tear replacement drops.

Thank you purplesequins! My eyes don't feel dry but maybe its the wrong kind of wet, as it were?

As it happens, my optician recommended those once, for a slightly different issue . do you us them? Wondering whether to put them in before I set out ?

watering eyes are ironically a symptom of dry eyes
yes, it's the composition of the fluid rather than the amount. the eye then tries to compensate by producing more liquid.

Ah, that's really helpful. Going into town tomorrow, I'll see what I can find in the chemists :)

I third the recommendation for eye drops. It can be another side effect of the menopause. I found my eyes would blur with tears on fast descents in the mountains and it was getting dangerous because I couldn't see potholes. If I use the eye drops before hand everything is fine.

you can get clear 'spectacles' to deal with wind chill (or summer bugs). Unhelpful in rainy conditions, though.

Lots of time, I also experience this thing. But afterward few days, I feel comfortable.

Thanks all, finally got the most gloopy eyedrops I could find and I think they are helping (though of course it's turned a lot milder again!)