Ski trips, cold wind and dry eyes

Mountains combine three things that dry the eyes: wind, thin dry air at altitude, and cold. Add speed on the way down and heated lodges in the evening, and a ski week can be hard on eyes that already run dry.

Goggles first

Well-fitted goggles block most of the wind before it reaches your eyes, on the lift as well as on the way down. Wraparound sunglasses work on milder days.

Where to carry the bottle

Not in an outer pocket or a backpack left on a rack outside. Below freezing, a bottle there drops well below the bottom of the label’s range, Store between 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F). An inside chest pocket keeps it close to body heat, or leave it at the lodge and use it at lunch.

If it got very cold

Let it come back to room temperature and look at it before the next drop. The label’s Do not use line reads: If this product changes color. If it looks different from usual, don’t use it.

Using drops outdoors

Take your gloves off and find a sheltered spot before you open it, so you don’t touch the tip with a glove or drop the cap in the snow. The label’s instruction is plain: Do not touch tip of bottle to any surface to avoid contamination.

Evenings in the lodge

Heated lodges and condos tend to be very dry. Keep the bottle away from the fireplace and the boot dryer. Dry air, wind and altitude covers the same causes in everyday life.