Introduction to the Winter Season
Winter in the Texas Hill Country feels different than in other places.
In Boerne, it’s less about snowstorms and more about quick temperature swings, dry indoor heat, and the arrival of cedar season. For many people, that combination brings on a familiar question:
“Is this pressure behind my eyes from eye strain, or am I dealing with a sinus headache?”
At Boerne Vision Center, we see a spike in patients asking exactly that every winter. Our goal is to help you understand what your body is telling you, so you can decide whether you need an eye exam, sinus care from your primary doctor or ENT, or a combination of both.
Winter in Boerne: Why Your Head and Eyes Feel Different
Winter in Boerne and the surrounding Fair Oaks area is beautiful, but it can also create the perfect storm for head and eye discomfort. Dry indoor heat from central heating systems, cool and windy days that dry out the ocular surface, and seasonal allergens like cedar and oak can all take a toll on your eyes and sinuses. Add in more time spent indoors on screens for work, school, streaming, or gaming—along with frequent weather changes that can trigger migraines or sinus pressure—and it’s no surprise many patients start feeling uncomfortable this time of year. 
Together, these factors often lead to eye strain, dry eye discomfort, sinus pressure, and headaches that seem to sit “behind the eyes.” The tricky part is that eye strain and sinus headaches can feel very similar, which makes it hard to know what’s really causing the problem. That’s why it’s important to break them down and understand the difference.
What Is Eye Strain?
Eye strain (also known as asthenopia) happens when your eyes are working harder than they should over a period of time. During the winter months, we see an increase in eye strain among:
Students at Boerne ISD spending long hours on laptops or tablets
Professionals commuting along I-10 and then working full days at a computer
Adults and teens unwinding with streaming, gaming, or scrolling after dark
Patients who haven’t updated their glasses or contact lens prescription in several years
Spending more time indoors often leads to increased screen use, reduced natural light, and drier air—a combination that can leave your eyes feeling tired, achy, and overworked.
Common Causes of Eye Strain in Winter
Winter conditions can intensify everyday visual stressors, including:
Prolonged use of computers, tablets, and smartphones
Poor lighting or glare from windows and overhead lights
Dry indoor air that causes tears to evaporate more quickly
An outdated or incorrect glasses or contact lens prescription
Uncorrected astigmatism or focusing issues
Poor screen ergonomics (such as looking down at a laptop in your lap or using a monitor that’s positioned too high or too low)
If you live or work in Boerne, Fair Oaks, Comfort, or the surrounding Hill Country communities, chances are your daily routine includes several of these factors.
Symptoms of Eye Strain
Eye strain can cause a wide range of symptoms that often build up gradually throughout the day. Many people experience aching or tired eyes along with a sensation of pressure around or behind the eyes. Burning, dryness, or excessive watering are also common, especially after prolonged screen use. 
Vision may become blurred or fluctuate after extended visual tasks, making it harder to shift focus from a screen to distant objects. Mild headaches—particularly after close or detailed work—can develop as the eyes become fatigued, and poor posture during screen use may contribute to neck or shoulder discomfort as well.
Eye strain symptoms often worsen as the day goes on and may improve with rest, lubricating eye drops, or simple adjustments to your visual environment.
What Is a Sinus Headache?
A sinus headache happens when the sinuses become inflamed, blocked, or filled with mucus. Winter in Boerne is prime time for:
- Cedar allergies (“cedar fever”)
- Colds and upper respiratory infections
- Dry nasal passages from indoor heat
When the sinus cavities are swollen or blocked, pressure can build up in areas around the forehead, cheeks, and behind the eyes.
Causes of Sinus Headaches in the Hill Country
Sinus headaches are commonly triggered by seasonal allergies—especially cedar and other local Hill Country pollens—as well as viral or bacterial sinus infections, chronic sinusitis, and sudden changes in weather or barometric pressure. 
Many patients notice their symptoms flare after spending time outdoors during high pollen counts, such as walking the Hill Country Mile, visiting Cibolo Nature Center or local parks, or working in dusty and windy conditions on ranches or construction sites.
When sinus headaches develop, they often present as deep, dull pain or pressure in the forehead, cheeks, or around the eyes. This discomfort may worsen when bending forward or lying down and is frequently accompanied by nasal congestion, a stuffy nose, thick nasal mucus or post-nasal drip, and a decreased sense of smell. Some people also experience ear fullness or popping, along with fatigue or a general feeling of being “run down.” Unlike eye strain, sinus headaches typically do not improve quickly with visual rest alone. Instead, they tend to respond better to allergy management, decongestants, nasal rinses, or—when an infection is present—antibiotics prescribed under the guidance of a primary care provider or ENT specialist.
Eye Strain vs. Sinus Headache: How Can You Tell the Difference?
Because both eye strain and sinus headaches involve discomfort around the eye area—and can sometimes occur at the same time—they’re often easy to confuse. There are, however, some general patterns that can help point to the more likely cause.
Eye strain symptoms tend to begin or worsen after extended screen time or reading and often feel like tired, burning, or sore eyes rather than deep pressure. Vision may become blurry or fluctuate, especially toward the end of the day, and symptoms usually improve with simple changes such as taking visual breaks, using artificial tears, or adjusting lighting and screen settings. Many people experiencing eye strain also haven’t had a recent eye exam or know their glasses or contact lens prescription is outdated.
Sinus headaches, on the other hand, usually feel heavier and more pressurized, particularly in the cheeks, forehead, or around the eyes. The pain often worsens when bending forward or lying down and is commonly accompanied by nasal congestion, post-nasal drip, or thick mucus. Other clues may include ear pressure, a decreased sense of smell, upper tooth pain, or a recent cold, flu, or allergy flare.
In many cases, especially among Boerne patients during the winter months, symptoms overlap. Sinus issues can create pressure behind the eyes, while dry winter air and increased screen time contribute to eye strain. Dehydration and poor sleep can further amplify both problems. This overlap is why a comprehensive eye exam is so valuable—your optometrist can identify or rule out eye-related causes and help coordinate care with your primary care provider or an ENT if sinus disease is suspected.
How Boerne Vision Center Evaluates Winter Headaches and Eye Discomfort
When you visit Boerne Vision Center in Boerne or Fair Oaks during the winter with symptoms like eye discomfort, headaches, or blurred vision, we take a comprehensive approach to understanding what’s going on. Your visit may begin with a review of your full health and symptom history, followed by questions about your daily screen time, work environment, and hobbies.
We’ll measure your current glasses or contact lens prescription, assess your eye alignment and focusing ability, and carefully evaluate the ocular surface for signs of dryness or inflammation. We also examine the back of the eye to rule out other potential causes of pain or visual changes.
Based on our findings, we tailor our recommendations to the underlying issue. If eye strain or focusing problems are the primary concern, we may adjust your prescription, recommend computer or task-specific lenses, and share ergonomic tips to reduce visual fatigue. If dry eye is contributing to your symptoms, we may suggest lubricating eye drops, heat masks, eyelid hygiene routines, or in-office dry eye treatments. When symptoms appear more sinus-related, we’ll explain what we’re seeing from an eye health perspective and may recommend follow-up with your primary care provider or an ENT specialist for further evaluation, such as sinus imaging or medical management.
Practical Tips to Reduce Winter Eye Strain in Boerne
Mild eye strain can often be eased with a few simple daily habits. One helpful strategy is following the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a moment to look at something about 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds to give your eyes a break. 
Using preservative-free artificial tears can also help counter the effects of dry indoor air and keep your eyes more comfortable throughout the day. Adjusting your workstation plays an important role as well—keep your screen about an arm’s length away, position the top of the monitor at or slightly below eye level, and reduce glare by using blinds, matte screen covers, or proper lighting.
If you find yourself squinting, leaning forward, or struggling to see clearly, it may be time to update your glasses or contact lens prescription, and in some cases, computer-specific lenses can make a noticeable difference. Adding a humidifier to your home or office can introduce moisture into dry indoor air, helping both your eyes and sinuses feel better. Finally, remember to take “blink breaks.” When we focus on screens, we tend to blink less, so consciously blinking more often can help maintain a healthier tear film and reduce irritation.
Tips to Support Sinus Health in Winter
These general strategies can help reduce sinus pressure (always check with your medical doctor if you have concerns or ongoing infection):
- Stay hydrated
- Use saline rinses or sprays as recommended
- Run a humidifier in dry rooms
- Avoid known allergens and triggers when possible
- Practice good hand hygiene to reduce infections
If sinus pressure is severe, persistent, or accompanied by fever or thick nasal discharge, it’s important to consult your primary care provider or ENT.
When to Seek Immediate Help
Contact a doctor promptly if you experience:
- Sudden, severe eye pain
- A dramatic change in vision
- Double vision
- Severe headache with nausea, confusion, or neurological symptoms
- Eye redness with significant light sensitivity or discharge
If you’re unsure whether your symptoms are urgent, call our office, and our team can help you decide what to do next.
Your Winter Eye & Headache Partner in the Hill Country
You don’t have to guess whether it’s eye strain or a sinus headache on your own. As a locally rooted practice serving Boerne, Fair Oaks, Kendall County, and the greater Hill Country, Boerne Vision Center is here to help you:
- Protect your vision
- Understand your symptoms
- Get tailored solutions that fit your lifestyle
If winter has your head and eyes feeling out of balance, we’re ready to take a closer look.
Schedule a comprehensive eye exam today at our Boerne or Fair Oaks location and let our team help you see — and feel — more clearly this season.
