October is here, and while you may be ready for cooler mornings, cozy sweaters and changing leaves, your eyes may have their own reaction to the drop in temperature. A new study suggests colder outdoor temperatures are associated with higher pressure inside the eye among people being treated for glaucoma, a condition that damages the optic nerve and can lead to vision loss.
Researchers analyzed 2,655 eye-pressure measurements from 77 adults with stable primary open-angle glaucoma who were followed for about five years. Lower outdoor temperatures were independently associated with higher intraocular pressure, with a 35-degree Celsius drop in temperature associated with an increase of about 1 mmHg. The association was particularly noticeable among people with severe glaucoma and those using multiple glaucoma eye drops.
The study doesn't prove that cold weather causes eye pressure to rise, and the findings may not apply to people without glaucoma. However, the researchers say outdoor temperature may be worth considering when managing the condition, particularly in people with more advanced disease. If you have glaucoma, staying consistent with regular eye exams and monitoring your eye pressure throughout the year may help you spot changes that could otherwise go unnoticed.
SOURCE:
News Medical, September 29, 2026