If you wake up in the morning feeling like your eyes have spent the night in the desert, or your eyes are itchy, dry, red and irritated all day long, you may have dry eye syndrome (DES).
DES is super-common, yet many people either ignore it or put up with the condition, not realizing that there are steps they can take to lessen their dry eye symptoms in conjunction with treatment from their optometrist. Left untreated, moderate to severe cases of dry eye syndrome can impact your quality of life and even damage your vision.
At EyeCare Professionals of Powell in Powell we diagnose and treat DES, so contact us today to schedule a dry eye exam. In the meantime, here are some tips to manage your dry eye symptoms.
What Causes Dry Eyes?
Dry eyes result from not having enough tears, or tears that can't adequately hydrate the eyes. In most cases, DES is caused by a malfunction of the meibomian glands, located at the edges of the eyelids. If the glands become blocked, the lipid part of the tears has a hard time entering the tear film. If there isn't enough oil in the tears, they can evaporate too quickly, drying out the eyes.
Dry eye syndrome can also be caused — or worsened — by environmental factors like arid weather, wind, air conditioning and heating, and even the amount of time you spend looking at a digital device. It's important to deal with DES quickly because, over time, it can cause chronic irritation and pain, and even corneal ulcers that result in permanent vision loss.
1. Limit Your Screen Time
Did you know that people blink much less often when looking at a computer, a cell phone, or even a TV screen? Blinking is the way our eyes spread moisture around the tear film. The less we blink, the drier our eyes become. If you or your children must spend time on digital devices, make a conscious effort to blink more often and to take frequent breaks to rest your eyes.
2. Eat Healthy and Hydrate
The organs of your body need moisture to function, and your eyes are no exception. Consume nuts, legumes, whole grains and lean proteins. Fatty fish is packed with omega 3 fatty acids, which can help keep your eyes hydrated.
3. Control Your Environment
If you work indoors, chances are your workplace is heated in the winter and air conditioned in the summer. The best way to prevent dry eyes indoors is to add moisture to the air with a humidifier. When outdoors, consider wearing wraparound sunglasses, as they can help prevent dry air and wind from affecting your tear film.
Schedule an Eye Exam with Your Eye Doctor!
As helpful as these tips may be, they're not a substitute for seeing your eye doctor, who can determine the underlying cause of your dry, sore, gritty eyes and prescribe the best treatment to keep your eyes healthy. Contact EyeCare Professionals of Powell in Powell today to schedule your dry eye exam.