Introduction
If you’ve ever had dry eyes, you know how painful they can be. Dry eyes can lead to blurry vision, sensitivity to light and headaches—and they’re a common condition that affects more than 15 million Americans. Unfortunately, there’s no cure for dry eyes (yet). However, there are many ways to treat them!
Warm Compresses
Warm compresses, also known as eye pads, are a great way to treat dry eyes. Here’s what you should know:
- Microwave the pad for 20 seconds and then leave it on your eye for 10 minutes.
- Use this method twice daily—in the morning and before bedtime.
- A clean sock with uncooked rice does a similar job!
Artificial Tears
You may be wondering what the best artificial tears are. You’ll want to purchase a product that is preservative-free, has a viscosity of over 50 centipoise (cps), and has a pH between 5.0 and 7.0.
Prescription medication
If you have been diagnosed with dry eyes and have been prescribed medication, you should always follow the instructions given to you by your doctor. It is important that eye drops be used as directed in order to avoid any potential side effects.
Eye drops should never be used more than recommended or if you are allergic to the ingredients of the eye drop medications. Do not use eye drops if you wear contact lenses because they will absorb into your body quicker than when using them alone, which could make it harder for medical professionals to diagnose problems with your eyes later on.
Blinking
Blinking is a natural way to keep your eyes moist. It also helps with dryness by spreading tears over the surface of your eye and preventing evaporation of moisture. To help keep your eyes from getting dry, try blinking more often than you normally do. If you find yourself feeling like you have to force yourself to blink, try focusing on relaxing the muscles around your eyes instead.
Computer breaks
Take a break from the computer every 20 minutes. Use the 20/20 rule: every 20 minutes, look away from the computer screen and focus on something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Look up, look down, look left, look right—anywhere but right in front of you! This will help reduce eye strain and dry eyes caused by staring at your screen for so long. Also try to blink more often than normal as blinking lubricates your eyes’ surface with tears and keeps them moistened throughout the day (this is especially important if you wear contacts).
It is possible to treat dry eyes.
You’re not alone. Dry eyes are a common problem for many people and can have a variety of causes—from the health of your eyelids to the amount of moisture in the air. Luckily, there are a number of different treatments available to help you get back to living your best life.
The first step when dealing with any issue is always to consult a doctor or eye specialist (unless they tell you otherwise). They’ll be able to examine your eyes and determine what’s causing your dryness, which will help them choose an appropriate treatment option. While some treatments may work well right away, others only need time before they become effective. As tempting as it may be to skip this step in order to get instant relief from your symptoms, doing so could make matters worse down the line!
Once you’ve received treatment for dry eyes or learned how bests suits their needs
Conclusion
You may be surprised to learn that the best way to treat dry eyes is with a combination of artificial tears, warm compresses and blinking. While prescription medication can be effective in certain cases, it may not work for everybody or have negative side effects. Remember that there are many over-the-counter options available as well if you prefer not going through your doctor!
