How Do You Fix Dry Eyes?
Photo by Hermes Rivera on Unsplash
Dry eyes can be very uncomfortable and can become disruptive to your day. Getting relief from eye drops can really help, but what if the problem persists? Understanding the potential causes can help you figure out a solution. This can also help you know when it is time to take a trip to the eye doctor to have them take a look. Spoiler Alert! If your problem with dry eye continues for more than a day and you are confident it is not just seasonal allergies, its time to give us a call to make sure nothing more serious is going on!
At home remedies for immediate relief to dry eye:
If you are having trouble with your eyes feeling dry right now, try some of these methods to see about getting some quick relief- keep in mind this may not be a total solution, but could ease your discomfort.
Warm moist facecloth to the dry eye or eyes: this one always feels simply marvelous! The heat from the warm water is so soothing and relaxing it just might make you want to take a nap đ€ đŽ
All kidding aside, take a clean face or wash cloth (a paper towel can do in a pinch too) and dampen the whole thing with nice hot water. Ring the cloth out so that it is more the warmth than dripping wet- we are not trying to have you get the whole house wet! Then fold the cloth up in a nice rectangle and find yourself somewhere comfortable to relax- bed, comfy chair, or couch can all work great. Lean your head back and place the warm moist cloth over both of your dry eyes and relax while it does itâs magic. âșïž
The heat and moister will help to relax and refresh your eyes while warming up your tear ducts to help get them producing again. This is a great method to use right before going to bed to let your eye re-lubricate before a long nights sleep. Just try not to fall asleep until after you remove the wet cloth from your eyes once the heat has disappeared- waking up to a cold damp something is never fun đłOver the counter eye drops: There are so many eye drops on the market today. Some are for red eye, while others are specifically for dry eye. Products like the basic Visine can help, however we find that spending some more money on higher quality eye drops can really make a difference. đ
When you spend more money on the higher quality eye drops specifically for dry eye, you are getting a product that is closer to your actual tears. This means your relief will last long and you will most likely then use less of the product itself. 1-2 drops of a higher quality eye drop will sooth faster and longer than a basic entry level eye drop. đ€
However, if the basic eye drops is all you have available to you at the time, these can help with the relief. When dropping the liquid into your dry eyes, always make sure to wash you hands first. Generally, some of the eye drop liquid comes out of your eye when applying these which leads to you whipping away the excess. You do not want to get any dirt or dust into your eye to further irritate them. Also, be sure to tilt your head back and use your opposite hand to open the eye up as wide as possible to give the entire surface a good covering. đTurn off your fans or air conditioning: We know, it gets HOT here in Florida, but the air in your home or office blowing into your eyes is not helping your dry eye at all. Take breaks from the air movement if it is a super hot Florida day or avoid sitting directly under the fan or air vent. Air circulating indoors automatically drys your eyes and your skin out. đČ
If you have no choice but to keep this all on, try protecting your eyes with a hat that has a vision to block some of that direct air flow from going into your eyes. Also, if you are someone who tends to sleep with a fan on, this can greatly effect the dryness of your eyes. Try leaving doors open to increase air flow throughout the home or move your bed so that where you sleep is not directly under the flow. If all else fails and you simply must have the fan on or the AC vent right above you while you sleep, consider getting yourself a nice sleeping mask. This will also help keep your eyes from drying out overnight with the added bonus of a darker room while you sleep! đ„±
What other treatments are available from my doctor?
Treatment options vary depending on symptoms and severity, so schedule an appointment today for an eye exam and assessment of your options. Here at Perich Eye Center, we offer a variety of dry eye treatments to help patients achieve their best possible outcomes. Restasis is an FDA approved medication used to decrease the inflammation associated with Dry-Eye, thus reducing signs and symptoms. Perich Eye Center also offers Xiidra, which is the latest FDA approved medication for Dry-Eye therapy that works similarly to Restasis.
Additionally, treatments vary on the type and severity of dry eye. Mild cases can be treated with prescription drops and oral vitamins. Chronic and severe cases require in office procedures such as Lipiflow and Blephex. These procedures are designed to unclog glands and resurface the eyelid. Think of it like getting new windshield wipers for your car and changing the fluid.
Is there a way to avoid getting dry eyes?
We recommend taking consistent âeye breaksâ when you work on a computer more than four hours a day. These breaks should be taken every 20 minutes taking time away from the screen for at least 20 seconds. đ”âđ«
As mentioned above, avoid sitting under fans or air conditioning vents for prolonged periods of time, including while you sleep. Excessive heat from heaters can also dry your eyes out. We know, we are in Florida and turning on the heat is a rarity, but just in case we get one of those freak cold days, or you find yourself being requested by family to venture north in the winter for some strange reason, just keep this in mind!
It is also very important that you have an annual eye exam, even if you donât wear glasses. Our eyes are precious and itâs very important that they are well taken care of. When in doubt, do not wait it out with dry eye! Contact us today to schedule an appointment to have those beautiful eyes of yours checked out!
