How to Relieve Dry Eyes in 5 Ways
Having dry eyes is one of the most common eye conditions. This can be caused by many things, including irritation, inflammation, or blockage of tear ducts–and that’s not all. Dry eyes can also arise from diabetes, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis. A wide range of factors can therefore contribute to dry eyes. Due to this, finding the right moisturizer can be challenging, but your best choice depends on which type of dry eye you’re suffering from. If you have dry eyes, you should see an optometrist with experience in handling dry eyes in Maitland. In this article, we look at the different treatment options for dry eyes.
- Artificial Tears
Artificial tears are one of the best moisturizing options, as they can relieve symptoms such as irritation and blurriness. They’re also easy to obtain. You can pick up some artificial tears from your local pharmacy or visit an optometrist for a more professional opinion. An experienced doctor will prescribe the right amount for you. One thing to keep in mind is that artificial tears are not meant to be a permanent solution. They’re only designed to moisturize for up to several hours, while some can last even longer. You will need to use them often throughout the day.
- Wearing Sunglasses While Outside
When you’re out in the sun during the day, UV rays can damage your eyes. This includes damage to sensitive cells which produce tear fluid. If you want to stay on top of your eye health, then it’s recommended that you wear sunglasses outside whenever possible. Remember that UV rays can also bounce off reflective surfaces, such as snow or water. If you’re going to be out in the sun a lot, it’s a good idea to wear sunglasses all year round.
- Massaging Your Eyes
Massaging your eyes is one of the best things you can do to soothe your dry eye symptoms. You can do this by gently stroking your closed eyelids with the tips of your fingers. You can also use moistened cotton balls to dab around your entire eye area, especially in areas where you usually get dry eye symptoms.
- Getting Enough Rest
One of the most common causes of dry eyes is fatigue. If you’re feeling exhausted or simply not up to the needs of the day, then your body can struggle with producing enough tears to keep your eyes moist. Getting more sleep at night will allow you to stay energized throughout the day and reduce your risk of developing dry eyes.
- Hydrating Often
Hydration is one of the best ways to provide your eyes with moisture. This might seem like an obvious solution, but you can quickly lose sight of how much water you need to consume daily. If you’re only drinking enough fluids to quench your thirst, then that’s not nearly enough. Try to drink at least eight glasses of water (or other hydrating fluids such as tea) each day.
Dry eyes are a common eye condition resulting from different causes. While it is best to see an optometrist for treatment, you can make it less severe by drinking enough water, getting enough rest, massaging your eyes, wearing sunglasses outdoors, and using artificial tears.