How to prevent dry eyes this winter

shutterstock 713909206 Did you know that dry eyes are more common in the winter and spring? The low indoor humidity, high winds and dry air can lead to discomfort and dry eyes. Here are seven things you can do to treat and prevent dry eye in the coming months.

  1. Artificial tears are a great way to treat dry eyes. Artificial tears are over-the-counter drops that can restore the natural moisture to your eyes. If you wear contact lenses, then you will want to make sure you get the artificial tears made for contact wearers. 
  2. Another over-the-counter option is eye ointment, which is thicker than artificial tears. You apply these to the inner lower lash line before bed so that the medicine can work overnight. The eye ointment can blur vision, which is why nighttime is the best time to use it. 
  3. Warm compresses can help reduce redness and discomfort. Keep it on your eyes for up to 10 minutes for soothing relief.
  4. Reduce the use of your heater and try to keep your home as cool as you can tolerate it. 
  5. Dry air is a major reason why you experience dry eyes. An indoor humidifier is a fantastic way to add much-needed moisture into the air. It’s important to clean them regularly as instructed to keep mold and bacteria from building up within the unit and causing illness. 
  6. Dry air outside and winter winds can cause dry eyes as well. Wear eyeglasses and sunglasses that wrap around your face to help protect your eyes from this drying wind. 
  7. If you try these methods and your symptoms don’t improve or continue to worsen, then it’s time to see your doctor. Your doctor will do a thorough exam and look into medical conditions that could be causing dry eyes. You may need prescription medications or other interventions to get you the relief you are seeking.  

While you can’t prevent winter from coming, preparing now for dry eye will help reduce the discomfort that comes from this syndrome. To maintain or improve the health of your eyes, call 978-239-4746 today.

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