What are dry eyes?
There are tear glands in your eyes that serve to produce tears that keep your eyes lubricated and moisturized for function and comfort. Dry eyes occur when those tear glands are not producing enough tears to keep your eyes moisturized. There are a couple of factors that can contribute to having dry eyes, which can be medical or environmental factors.
What is dry eye syndrome?
Dry eye syndrome is a general term that is used to describe the condition in why one has dry eyes because of poor quality tears or a lessened tear production.
What are the symptoms of dry eye syndrome?
The symptoms of dry eye syndrome include:
- A dry, rough, and painful sensation in both eyes
- Redness of the eyes
- Mucus or crust in or around the eyes
- Fatigued eyes
- Light sensitivity
- Blurred vision
What are the causes of dry eyes?
There are several causes of dry eyes, they include:
- Allergies
- Environmental factors
- Certain medications
- Aging
- Medical conditions
- Contacts
How can I relieve my dry eyes?
There are several things that you can do to help relieve your dry eyes. Take these steps to see if your dry eye symptoms improve.
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#1 Address the environmental contributors
There are many environmental factors that contribute to dry eyes. Be aware of certain allergens that may aggravate your eyes and try to avoid them. Stay indoors as much as you can on a windy day. Whenever you are out you should avoid cigarette smoke as this will further agitate your dry eyes.
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#2 Try drops or ointments
There are many over-the-counter drops and ointments that can be taken for dry eye relief. Because of the overwhelming amount of options, you may want to first consider speaking to your optometrist to see which brands and medications he or she would suggest.
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#3 Implement healthy fatty acids into your diet
Omega-3 fatty acids are extremely beneficial to your eyes. Implementing healthy fatty acids into your diet can help relieve dry eye symptoms. By reducing inflammation in the body, these acids are healthy for more than just your eyes. Try the following foods in your diet to help with dry eyes:
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- Fish with healthy fatty acids including, salmon, tuna, sardines, and mackerel
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- Nuts with high omega-3 such as almonds and walnuts
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- Eggs that are supplemented with omega-3 fats
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- Chia seeds
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- Ground flaxseed and flaxseed oil
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- Palm oil
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- Soybean oil
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#4 Use a humidifier
Using a humidifier in your room will help to put and retain moisture in the air and therefore help your eyes from having to work as hard to stay moisturized. This is especially helpful during the winter season.
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#5 Wear protective sunglasses
Wearing sunglasses with large frames will help to guard your eyes against wind, dust, and allergens that can contribute to dry eyes.
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#6 Speak to your optometrist
If you notice that the above solutions don’t give you any or enough relief for your dry eyes, then you should see your DFW optometrist. Many times, dry eyes are temporary and can be soothed from at home remedies, but if you notice dry eyes are a reoccurring condition for you or they are disrupting your daily life then it is time to see your doctor about treating your dry eye syndrome.
Here First Eye Care DFW, we have an experienced and knowledgeable team that can offer you amazing vision care as well as glasses and contact lens fittings. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.