Virtually everyone has an occasional bout with dry eyes, whether from a long day, eyestrain, or environmental conditions. Given time, rest, or a change of location, your eyes quickly recover. Chronically dry eyes, however, can be more of a problem.
You may have medical reasons for your dry eye condition, but increasingly, the use of devices like computers, tablets, and smartphones reduces blink rates, leading to fast evaporation of the protective tear layers that coat and soothe dry eyes.
In some cases, dry eyes require professional attention. That’s where IC Laser Eye Care can help. We can diagnose and treat those medical conditions that affect both the quantity and quality of your tear composition at one of our offices — in Philadelphia and Bensalem, Pennsylvania, and Hamilton, New Jersey.
In other cases, you may be able to manage dry eyes at home. Here are 4 tips to help you.
Digital devices run through the fabric of contemporary life. For those who use computers at work, read news on tablets, and shop on smartphone apps, eye strain may be a daily issue. Research shows that reading printed material can slow blink rates, too.
Easing dry eyes may be as simple as following the 20-20-20 rule. Take a break every 20 minutes to change your focus to something about 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This resets your blink rate while giving your eyes time to refocus and relax, easing eye strain and lowering the effects of screen time on your eyes.
A quick scan of your local pharmacy shows a wide range of non-prescription drops, ointments, and gels designed for use on the eyes. Avoid products that reduce eye redness, even if that’s a symptom of your condition. These may cause irritation with long-term use.
Instead, consider an artificial tear product to supplement your natural supply. Bottled tears typically have preservatives to extend their shelf life. These are best for occasional use, up to four applications a day. If you need drops more often than this, choose a product without preservatives, usually delivered in single-use vial format.
Gentle and frequent washing of your eyelids may help to control the inflammation that accompanies certain eye conditions. This inflammation sometimes interferes with the glands that produce the oily component of natural tears. Use warm water to wet a clean washcloth and hold it over your eyes for about five minutes, rewetting the cloth when it cools. Gently wipe your lids at the end, particularly along the eyelash line. Using a gentle no-tears soap like baby shampoo may help clear debris along the base of the lashes.
Your natural tears are 98% water. Should this level fall, your eyes could become literally dry. Making sure your body is well hydrated assures that you have the resources to make properly balanced tears, Spreading out water intake throughout the day works best.
There’s no reason for a prolonged struggle with dry eyes. When you have issues like blocked meibomian glands, the ophthalmologists at IC Laser Eye Care can help with treatments like MiBoFlo Thermoflo®. Consult with our experts at the most convenient location. You can book an appointment online or by phone. Schedule your visit today.
