Below are some tips we recommend for treating the symptoms of dry eye. If your symptoms persist we recommend you call our office for a consultation:
- Medications: The Dry Eye Center of Kentucky recommends Restasis. Restasis helps the body produce more tears as well as helps improve the quality of the tears. There are also over the counter nighttime ointments, such as Refresh PM, that drive huge amounts of fluid on to the eyes.
- Consider using a humidifier: Keeping the air moist can help keep your eyes less dry. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions and keep it sanitary.
- Nutritional supplements: Flax seed and oil, fatty fish and fish oil supplements are effective in promoting eye health because of their high content of the good for you omega-3 fatty acids
- Automobile air vents: Vents pointed at your face and eyes can quickly drain the moisture in your eyes. Make sure to aim the vents away from your eyes or wear sunglasses for protection.
- Fans: Avoid using fans that cause excessive air movement.
- Quit Smoking: Smoking has been shown to dry out your eyes. In addition, smoking increases the risk of cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. It is our suggestion to quit smoking to not only decrease the risk of eye diseases and disorders, but to protect your over-all health.
- Blinking: When we are concentrating or staring at a computer screen, we blink less than we should. This can irritate even mild cases of dry eyes. Not blinking frequently will make eye moisture evaporate rapidly.
- See your eye specialist: If you have tried many of the above suggestions and are still having dry eye concerns, schedule an appointent with the Dry Eye Center of Kentucky.