5 Tips For Dealing With Chronic Dry Eyes
Chronic dry eyes is a common eye disorder that plagues many people. If you're afflicted with dry eyes, your eyes may constantly feel irritated, gritty, or like there is foreign matter in your eye. Use the following tips to deal with chronically dry eyes:
Use Artificial Tears
Your dry eyes may be soothed by using artificial tears on a regular basis. You can purchase artificial tears over the counter at a drug store. Look for preservative-free artificial tears, as any additives in the tear solution can cause further irritation if you're already suffering from dry eyes. If you do not respond well to the over-the-counter artificial tears, your optometrist may recommend that you use prescription eye drop or ointment to combat your condition.
Limit Your Exposure To Air Movement
When you have dry eyes, things like wind, fans, and even a hair dryer near your face can make things much worse. If at all possible, try to avoid being exposed to moving air. If you must be outside on a windy day, wear wide wraparound sunglasses to shield your eyes and help prevent the wind from blowing into your eyes.
Rest Your Eyes On A Regular Basis
When you're working on a computer, reading a book, or watching television, you are more likely to keep your eyes continually open for longer than normal. When partaking in these activities, make sure your rest your eyes on a regular basis and blink often to moisturize the surface of your eyes.
Consume More Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Some people report an improvement in their dry eyes when they increase the amount of omega-3 fatty acids that they consume. An easy way to add omega-3 fatty acids to your diet is by eating flax seeds or oily fish like salmon, anchovies, or sardines. If you're not able to eat these types of food on a regular basis, consider taking an omega-3 fatty acid supplement.
Consider Having Your Tear Ducts Blocked
If you suffer from severely dry eyes and they do not respond to anything that you have tried, consider talking to your optometrist about having your tear ducts blocked and ask if you're a good candidate for this type of procedure. During this procedure, tiny plugs that can be removed are inserted into the tear ducts; the goal of this procedure is to keep tears from draining so they stay in the eye longer and help combat dryness.
For more information on how to deal with dry eyes, talk to an optometrist in your area.
Share