Dry eyes occur when your eyes produce poor quality tears or don’t make enough tears. Dry eye syndrome is a chronic and progressive eye condition that can make your eyes feel itchy, gritty, and uncomfortable.
Other symptoms of dry eyes include blurred vision, burning sensation, light sensitivity, and difficulty wearing contact lenses. Keep reading to learn what you can do to relieve your dry eyes right now!
Stay Hydrated
Do you forget to drink enough water every day? Dehydration can lead to multiple problems in your body and your eyes too.
Not drinking the recommended amount of water may contribute to your dry eye symptoms. To ensure you’re properly hydrated, drink around eight to ten glasses of water daily.
If you find it hard to chug down glasses of plain water, try adding some fruit flavors into your water. For instance, drinking lemon water can make it easier to achieve your daily intake and keep dry eye symptoms at bay.
Use Artificial Tears
Artificial tears try to mimic the similar properties your natural tears have. The various types of artificial drops work differently depending on the ingredients added.
For example, artificial tears can alleviate the discomfort that comes with dry eyes by:
- Preventing tears from drying up too fast
- Creating a protective film over your eyes
- Making your tears thicker
- Or keeping your eyes moist
Apply Warm Compresses
Your dry eye symptoms might be due to clogged meibomian glands in the eyelids. The meibomian glands produce oil to help the tears lubricate the surface of your eye.
If they are clogged, warm compresses can help. Gently press a clean cloth soaked in warm water on your eyelids for about five to ten minutes.
If it becomes cool, dip it in hot water, then place it back on your eyelids once it’s warm again. Warm compresses are applied daily to aid in opening up the glands, releasing oils needed to protect your tear film, and soothing your dry eye symptoms.
Cut Back on Screen Time
You may find yourself constantly staring at your smartphone, laptop, tablet, desktop, or TV. Unfortunately, looking at your digital devices causes you to blink less without knowing and can considerably dry out your eyes.
Because of this, it’s essential to use the 20-20-20 rule whenever you’re in front of a digital screen. After every 20 minutes, make sure you look at something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Remember to blink often. Doing so will lubricate your eyes and improve your dry eye symptoms.
Avoid Fans and Air Conditioners
Fans and ACs exacerbate dry eye symptoms, especially when pointed directly at your face and eyes. So try to avoid staying close to these sources of strong airflow.
If it’s not an option, make sure your AC or fan doesn’t blow straight into your face or reduce the time they’re running. You’ll notice a big difference in an hour or two.
Find Help for Your Dry Eyes
While these tips can be very useful when you have dry eyes, it’s still important to consult the top-rated doctors at VisionFirst Eye Center. Your eye doctor will create a personalized treatment plan to prevent your dry eyes from worsening and provide long-lasting relief.
Ready to find an effective treatment for your dry eyes? Schedule an appointment at VisionFirst Eye Center in Pell City, Alabaster, Homewood, or Trussville, AL, today!
