Winter with TED: New Challenges?

The winter season brings cold outdoor climates, warm and dry indoor environments, and changes to everyday living. When managing a condition like thyroid eye disease (TED), a person may face new challenges that they had not thought of before.

We know of some possible challenges that people with TED may face during the winter season. Do any of these apply to you?

Indoor heating and dry eyes

With temperatures being colder outside, places, (possibly including your home) may be turning on heat or radiators. This can sometimes cause the air to feel dry. When your eyes feel dry you may need to apply more eye drops, or add a humidifier to your routine. Has anyone had any experience with this?

Transportation

Transportation to and from the outdoors to indoors may also impact your eyes. Public transportation may have heaters blasting, and you may have to position yourself away from the direct heat if your eyes and TED symptoms are impacted by this.

Luckily, whether you are driving your own car or traveling as a passenger you may be able to get the heating vents to face a different direction so you can maintain comfort.

Snow and light sensitivity

Are you sensitive to light? Often there is a reflection of light off of snow, and if you live in a place where it snows often you may need to consider this. Sunglasses aren't just good for the summer in this instance! Hopefully carrying a pair on you when you need to go out can help with the brightness of the sunlight off the snow!

Strategies for managing TED this winter

What strategies have you used in the past, or do you plan on using in the future to manage your TED symptoms and cope with your condition during the winter months? We'd love to hear from you, and your response may help others in the thyroid eye disease community who are looking for helpful tips!