3 Effective Ways to Relieve Dry Eyes
If you wake up in the morning feeling like your eyes have spent the night in the desert, or your eyes are itchy, dry, red and irritated all day long, you may have dry eye syndrome (DES).
DES is super-common, yet many people either ignore it or put up with the condition, not realizing that there are steps they can take to lessen their dry eye symptoms in conjunction with treatment from their optometrist.
Left untreated, moderate to severe cases of dry eye syndrome can impact your quality of life and even damage your vision. At Eyecare Professionals of Gahanna in Gahanna we diagnose and treat DES, so contact us today to schedule a dry eye exam. In the meantime, here are some tips to manage your dry eye symptoms.
What Causes Dry Eyes?
Dry eyes result from not having enough tears, or tears that can't adequately hydrate the eyes. In most cases, DES is caused by a malfunction of the meibomian glands, located at the edges of the eyelids. If the glands become blocked, the lipid part of the tears has a hard time entering the tear film, causing the tears to evaporate too quickly.
Dry eye syndrome can also be caused or worsened by environmental factors like arid weather, wind, air conditioning and heating, and even the amount of time you spend looking at a digital device. Other cases of dry eye are caused by certain medications, some medical conditions or the natural aging process.
1. Limit Your Screen Time
People blink much less often when looking at a computer, a cell phone, or even a TV screen — and blinking is the way our eyes spread moisture around the tear film. The less we blink, the drier our eyes become. If you or your children must spend time on digital devices, make a conscious effort to blink more often and to take frequent breaks to rest your eyes.
2. Eat Healthy and Hydrate
The organs of your body need moisture to function, and your eyes are no exception. Consume nuts, legumes, whole grains and lean proteins. Fatty fish is packed with omega 3 fatty acids, which can help keep your eyes hydrated.
3. Control Your Environment
The best way to prevent dry eyes indoors is to add moisture to the air with a humidifier. When outdoors, consider wearing wraparound sunglasses, as they can help prevent dry air and wind from affecting your tear film. We also recommend placing a warm compress on your closed eyelids for a few minutes to soothe your eyes.
Schedule an Eye Exam with Your Eye Doctor!
As helpful as these tips may be, they're not a substitute for seeing your eye doctor, who can determine the underlying cause of your dry, sore, gritty eyes and prescribe the best treatment to keep your eyes healthy.
Contact Eyecare Professionals of Gahanna in Gahanna today to schedule your dry eye exam.
FAQ
How do you test for dry eye? First, your eye doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms and whether you have any medical conditions or are taking any medications. For the most common dry eye test, called the Schirmer's test, your eye doctor will place a tiny piece of paper over your lower eyelid to check the amount of moisture your tear glands are producing.
Can I wear contact lenses with dry eyes? Wearing standard contact lenses when you have dry eyes can be challenging and highly uncomfortable. Ask your eye doctor about the best contact lenses to wear if you have dry eye syndrome.