Follow the directions on the package when using artificial tears. If you find that you’re using them frequently, you might want to see an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) to find out if there’s something better you can use. Use eye drops before engaging in visually demanding activities to help prevent dry eyes. Blink often to help spread the moisture evenly across your eyes. If you use artificial tears more than 4 times a day, look for “non-preserved” artificial tears. Preservatives might dry out your eyes even more. [2] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
If you spend most of your workday staring at a computer screen, set up your workstation so that your computer is at eye level and take “eye breaks” every 15 minutes or so to stare off into the middle distance.
Smoke, smog, pollen, and excessive dryness can interfere with your eyes’ ability to stay moist. Pay attention to the environment around you and stay away from excessively dry environments whenever possible. [5] X Trustworthy Source American Optometric Association Professional medical organization dedicated to supporting optometrists and improving public eye and vision health Go to source When in a car, direct the air vents away from your face to avoid the air blowing directly into your eyes.
If you’re going to be swimming, wear goggles. Chlorinated water can irritate and dry out your eyes even more.
Disposable contacts tend to be the lightest and easiest to use. You also don’t have to worry about cleaning them since you throw them out with each use. You might also try wearing your contacts for a shorter period during the day. For example, if you usually wear your contacts all day at work, you might try taking them out at lunch and wearing glasses for the rest of the day.
Your eyes are meant to water whenever anything gets into them. However, contacts can dull this reflex, leading to dry eyes over time. [10] X Expert Source Rajesh Khanna, MDBoard Certified Ophthalmologist Expert Interview. 11 November 2020.
Omega-3 fatty acids are found naturally in oily fish, such as salmon and tuna, as well as in flaxseed.
Try to maintain a regular pattern of going to sleep at around the same time in the evening and waking up around the same time in the morning. This will help balance your internal rhythms so you get better quality sleep.
They’ll ask you lots of questions about your daily activities and environment to try to figure out what might be causing your dry eyes. They’ll also look for physical causes, like inflammation of the tear ducts, that could be the culprit. Age can also be a factor[13] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School’s Educational Site for the Public Go to source . Activities and environments that didn’t bother you when you were younger can start to affect you more when you’re in your 40s and 50s. Menopause can also cause dry eyes[14] X Research source . Tell your eye doctor about any medications you’re currently taking. Certain medications, including anti-hypertension drugs and birth control, can cause dry eyes. [15] X Expert Source Rajesh Khanna, MDBoard Certified Ophthalmologist Expert Interview. 11 November 2020.
Cyclosporine A eye drops: used twice a day to reduce inflammation; they might take 1-4 months to reduce symptoms. Your doctor might also prescribe corticosteroid drops for you to use 2 weeks before these to speed up the treatment process. Lifitegrast: also used twice a day. You might see results in as little as 2 weeks. This is a relatively new drug in a new class of medication to relieve dry eyes.
Your doctor might also try temporary plugs, which close the tear drains in your lower eyelids. If the temporary plugs give you relief, your doctor can insert permanent plugs. This procedure is a lot simpler than surgery.
