
Eight tips to combat dry eye
Pediatric Eye Clinic
Dry eye syndrome is a common disorder that occurs when the eye does not produce the right amount of tears or when they are not of sufficient quality to keep the eyes hydrated and without discomfort.
Risk factor's
Dry eyes can affect anyone, although it is more frequent among women, especially after menopause, or in people who live in large cities where air pollution levels are higher. Some studies also show that in higher altitude areas, this condition is more common.
Tips to combat dry eye
Living with dry eyes on a daily basis can be uncomfortable, but there are a number of measures that can help alleviate some of the symptoms of dry eye syndrome:
- The use of artificial tears, which can be purchased without a prescription. Normally they can be administered as many times as necessary (although the administration guidelines of each type of drops must be checked before administration). Even so, if its use is expected to be more frequent than once every two hours, the use of artificial tears without preservatives is preferable.
- The application of lubricating gels, somewhat thicker than artificial tears. However, being thicker they can blur vision, so it is recommended to apply them at bedtime.
- Avoid air movements, whether natural from the outside environment, such as the wind, or those caused by devices such as fans or hair dryers, since they can dry out the eyes more. If the agent that causes it is external and cannot be avoided (wind), it is recommended to wear wraparound sunglasses to protect the eyes.
- The use of humidifiers. Air conditioners and heating can cause more dryness, so the use of humidifiers can reduce the dryness of the environment and relieve symptoms somewhat.
- Let the eyes rest. If reading or watching television aggravates the symptoms of dryness, take breaks to rest your eyes and blink more frequently to replenish lost moisture.
- Avoid tobacco smoke. The reasons to stay away from tobacco are countless, and one of them is that it can irritate dry eyes and, in fact, it is one of the factors that increases the risk of suffering from this condition.
- Applying warm compresses to the eyes and gently cleansing the eyelids with specific soaps can help release oil that accumulates in the glands of the eyelids, which can improve the quality of tears. The soap must be rinsed completely after cleaning is finished.
- Including omega-3 fatty acid supplements in the diet can, in some cases, alleviate the symptoms of dry eyes. This component can be found naturally in oily fish (salmon, sardines, anchovies) and flax seeds. Check with your ophthalmologist to find out if it would be advisable to take omega-3 fatty acid supplements and in what form and dose.
Dry eyes are a chronic condition, so knowing how to manage it can help alleviate symptoms. If dry eyes cause you a lot of discomfort, we recommend going to the ophthalmologist to determine the best treatment for your case.
Source: CDC
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