When Dry Eye Is An Issue, These Tips Can Help

Introduction

Dry eye is a condition that affects about 12 million Americans. It is typically caused by the lack of tears or moisture in the eyes. This can lead to redness and an uncomfortable feeling in your eyes. The discomfort from dry eye may be one of the first signs of an underlying health problem like allergies, inflammation or diabetes.

Make sure your office environment has good humidity.

Use a humidifier. Humidifiers are a great way to add moisture to the air, and they’re especially helpful if you’re in an environment with low humidity or where there’s lots of dust in the air. You can buy one from your local drugstore or department store and use it at home or when you’re at work. If you plan on using one for several hours each day, invest in one that has a large tank so that it doesn’t have to be refilled very often.
Clean your humidifier regularly. To avoid bacteria growth and mold accumulation, clean your humidifier every week by removing all parts—including the filter—and washing them with hot water and soap (or use vinegar). Dry everything thoroughly before putting it back together again so that mold doesn’t grow inside once more!
Know when to replace parts of your humidifier (like filters). If you’re having trouble breathing because of dry eyes or other issues related to climactic conditions such as asthma attacks caused by allergens like pollen counts rising high enough where they affect people who haven’t been able to stay indoors during peak seasons; consider investing in new filters for models which need them instead — this way there won’t be any problems running into anymore!

Don’t be afraid to use over-the-counter lubricating drops to relieve dry eye symptoms.

When using over-the-counter (OTC) lubricating drops, it is important to use them regularly. OTC lubricating drops are safe and effective for relieving dry eye symptoms. However, they do not treat the underlying cause of dry eye disease, so they should only be used as long as needed.

Do not use any type of OTC medication without first talking to your doctor or eye care professional about your symptoms and treatment options.

Be aware that certain medications can cause dry eye and the side effects may be worse for some people than for others.

If you are taking any prescription medications, it’s important to be aware that certain drugs can cause dry eye or make your symptoms worse. The side effects may also vary from one person to another, so you should consult with a doctor if you notice an unusual change in your eyes while taking medication. Some of the most common medications linked to dry eye include:

Anti-inflammatory drugs
Antihistamines (for allergies)
Antidepressants (such as Prozac and Zoloft)

Keep your contact lenses clean and change them regularly.

Keeping your contact lenses clean and changing them regularly is important. The longer you wear a pair of contacts, the greater chance they have of getting contaminated by bacteria and debris that can cause infections.

Some good practices include:

Washing your hands before handling your contacts.
Using a lint-free cloth to clean the lenses when you take them out.
Wiping the edge of the lens with disinfecting solution before putting it back in your eye (do not rub it across your cornea).
Cleaning both sides of each lens every time you remove it from its case (the cleaner side should be facing up for removal).

If you are missing one or both contact lenses, make sure to seek immediate medical attention as soon as possible because leaving either eye unprotected like this could lead to serious health complications including corneal abrasions, infections and even blindness!

Ask your doctor or optometrist about artificial tears that can give you relief throughout the day.

If you need relief from dry eyes during the day, ask your doctor or optometrist about artificial tears. These are available over the counter and can be used to lubricate the eyes by adding moisture and helping to keep them moist.

If you are a woman, ask your doctor or optometrist about using hormone replacement therapy.

If you are a woman, ask your doctor or optometrist about using hormone replacement therapy. Women who have dry eye may be able to get relief from symptoms by taking estrogen or progesterone supplements.

Hormone replacement therapy can also help treat dry eye in menopause-related loss of ovarian function and after long-term use of some medications that suppress the natural production of hormones in the body (such as oral contraceptives and testosterone blockers).

Don’t expose your eyes to cigarette smoke.

Smoking is a major cause of dry eye, and it’s something you should look to remove from your life. Smoking can cause dry eye by reducing the amount of tears that the eye produces, by causing inflammation in the eye, and by damaging the cornea (the front part of your eyeball).

Smoking also increases your risk for cataracts (clouding of an otherwise clear lens inside your eyes), which can further decrease vision quality and make it harder for you to see clearly.

There are a number of ways to treat dry eye symptoms.

While there are a number of ways to treat dry eye symptoms, it’s important to note that there isn’t a magic cure. In fact, some patients find that their eyes get more irritated as they age and experience menopause or another life transition.

Make sure you are drinking enough water throughout the day. This can help hydrate your tissues and avoid dryness in the first place.
Use an artificial tear or ointment at least four times a day (more if you’re feeling particularly uncomfortable). You should also try using a humidifier during the night when possible, which can help keep air moist while you sleep and prevent further dehydration while awake.
Try using warm or cold compresses on your eyes for comfort before going to bed—or simply after waking up in the morning! You’ll probably want them to be refrigerated as well so they stay cold when applied directly against your face/eyelids after tossing around all night long while trying not “to move too much.” Remember: Always consult with your doctor before applying anything directly into one’s own body cavity without proper guidance from medical professionals!”

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped you identify your dry eye symptoms and get you on the path to relief. If you have been suffering with eye discomfort and other symptoms for a while, I encourage you to talk with your doctor or optometrist about all of your treatment options.