How Can I Prevent Dry Eye?

Dry eyes are uncomfortable and can sting or burn. You may experience this while doing activities such as working on your computer or riding a bicycle. It is therefore ideal to find measures to prevent its symptoms.

What Is Dry Eye?

A dry eye is a condition where your eyes lack enough moisture for lubrication. You need a consistent and adequate production of tears on the surface of your eyes to keep them healthy and comfortable. Your tears need to comprise oil, water, and mucus for a critical purpose. Hence, you need to produce quality tears to maintain the health and moisture of your eyes.

Causes of Dry Eye

Below are common causes of dry eye:

Aging.
Medication.
Computer use.
Menopause.
Laser surgery.
Wind exposure.
Vitamin A deficiency.
Sjogren’s syndrome.
Low humidity.
Smoke.
Blepharitis.
Allergies.
Contact lenses.
Mild dehydration.
Other autoimmune diseases.

Treatment

You can treat mild or occasional dry eye symptoms using over-the-counter artificial tears. If you have persistent symptoms, there are other treatment options. Whatever you decide to do depends on what causes your dry eyes.

Some treatments treat underlying health problems that cause dry eye symptoms. If you have an eyelid condition, your doctor can recommend eyelid surgery. Your doctor can recommend medication if they notice that what you are taking causes your eyes to dry.

There are prescription medications that help treat dry eyes. Your doctor can recommend antibiotics to reduce inflammation along the edges of your eyelids. Some prescription eye drops also reduce inflammation on the surface of your cornea.

If your dry eye problem is severe and artificial tears do not work, you can use dry eye inserts. The tiny eye inserts look like rice grains. Once inserted on the lower eyelid, they dissolve slowly and lubricate your eyes.

You can also use tear-stimulating drugs that help increase your tear production. There are also autologous blood serum eye drops. Your doctor can recommend them if your dry eyes are severe and no treatment works for you. The solution used comprises red blood cells extracted from your blood sample and mixed with a salt solution.

Some procedures can help with treatment, such as closing your tear ducts. Your doctor can plug your tear ducts to reduce the loss of tears. Eye masks and warm compresses also help unclog your oil glands. Thermal pulsation treatment also unblocks oil glands. Intense pulsed-light therapy and massages relieve symptoms for people with severe dry eyes.

Prevention

Below are some steps to take to prevent or reduce your dry eye symptoms:

Blink regularly when staring at a computer or when reading for long periods.
Increase humidity in your surrounding by using humidifiers.
Wear sunglasses when stepping outside to reduce sun and wind exposure.
Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration—around eight to 10 glasses a day.
Avoid having air blow directly onto your face from air conditioning systems or car heaters.
Avoid staying in dry environments like deserts or airplanes. Also, avoid high altitude areas.

When to See a Doctor

If your eyes remain dry and painful over a long time, see your doctor. Also, make an appointment if your home remedies do not work. Your doctor can help you discover the root cause of dry eyes and suggest the appropriate treatment. Doing so is essential as dry eyes can cause complications or eye damage.

For more on preventing dry eye, visit Raleigh Eye Center at our offices in Raleigh, Durham, Reidsville, North Carolina, or South Hill, Virginia. You can also call (919) 876-2427 to book an appointment today.