The Impact of Holiday Habits on Your Eye Health

The holidays are a time to relax, unwind, and enjoy a break from routine. Late nights, festive drinks, long days in the sun and plenty of screen time often come with the territory.

Many people notice their eyes feel drier, more irritated, or more tired over the holiday period and it’s no coincidence. Here’s how common holiday habits can affect your eye health, and what you can do to keep your vision comfortable.

Less sleep, tired eyes

Sleep plays a vital role in keeping your eyes healthy. When you don’t get enough rest, your eyes have less time to recover from daily strain. This can lead to:

• Red, bloodshot eyes
• Dryness or a gritty sensation
• Blurred vision
• Increased eye twitching
• Late nights and early mornings can quickly add up. Even a few nights of poor sleep can disrupt tear production and make existing dry eye symptoms worse.

Tip: Try to prioritise a consistent sleep schedule where possible, even during the holidays. Your eyes (and your energy levels) will thank you.

Alcohol and dehydration

Festive drinks are often part of holiday celebrations, but alcohol is dehydrating and your eyes feel it too. Dehydration can reduce tear production, leading to dry, irritated eyes and temporary blurred vision.

Alcohol can also cause blood vessels in the eyes to dilate, making them appear red or inflamed.

Tip: Balance alcoholic drinks with water, and aim to stay well-hydrated throughout the day, especially in warmer weather.

More screen time than usual

Whether it’s scrolling on your phone or watching movies, screen time often increases over the holidays. When we stare at screens, we blink less, which can cause tears to evaporate faster and lead to digital eye strain.

Common symptoms include:

• Dry or sore eyes
• Headaches
• Blurred vision
• Difficulty focusing

Tip: Follow the 20-20-20 rule; every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away (6 metres) for 20 seconds.

Sun, wind and outdoor exposure

Summer holidays mean more time outdoors, which is great, but UV exposure can damage your eyes over time. Wind, sand, saltwater and chlorine can also irritate the eye surface, particularly if you already experience dry eye.

Tip: Wear sunglasses with proper UV protection, and consider using lubricating eye drops if your eyes feel dry after swimming or spending time outdoors.

When to get your eyes checked

Occasional dryness or irritation is common, especially during busy holiday periods. However, if symptoms persist, worsen, or start affecting your vision, it’s worth having your eyes checked.

An eye examination can identify underlying issues such as dry eye disease, uncorrected vision problems, or early signs of eye conditions that benefit from timely treatment.

In case of emergency

If you experience significant eye pain, injury, sudden vision loss, or any urgent eye concerns, please seek immediate medical attention. For urgent eye issues, contact the Eye Clinic at Greenlane Clinical Centre on 09 307 4949, extension 29810.

Stay safe, take care of your eyes, and enjoy your well-earned break!