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Having dry eyes is a nuisance and a common condition that affects many people. It happens when a person doesn’t produce enough tears to sufficiently lubricate their eyes. But before you visit an eye doctor about the problem, there a few remedies you can try yourself.

How to Prevent and Treat Dry Eyes

1. Lubricate

Dry eyes are caused by inadequate tears that can result in infection. Use eye drops for additional lubrication. For a cool sensation upon application, put your eye drops in the refrigerator half an hour before using them. Bring your drops with you when going to extremely dry or high altitude environments like deserts and airplanes.  

2. Increase Humidity

During winter, the air becomes drier than usual and cold temperatures tend to speed up the evaporation of tears. Using a humidifier can elevate indoor moisture levels and keep your eyes from drying out.

3. Take a Break from the Screeneye doctor

Your eyes can become dry when you spend too much time in front of an illuminated screen. Let your eyes rest for a few minutes to keep them lubricated. Blink repeatedly to spread the tears evenly throughout your eyeballs, or close your eyes to slow down evaporation. Shutting your eyes and placing a warm, damp cloth over them can help too. If you’re always working on a computer screen, keep it below eye level so your eyes won’t have to open wide. Doing so reduces the evaporation of your tears in between blinks.

4. Avoid Possible Irritants

Hair dryers, heaters, and ceiling fans dry up your tears. Keep those items away from your eyes as much as possible. Also, make sure that your contacts are clean and fit well, and replace them as soon as they irritate your eyes. If possible, stop smoking altogether and avoid smoky places since smoke aggravates dry eyes.

5. Use Protective Eyewear

Ask your eye doctor about safety shields that can be placed around your glasses to block wind and air from drying up your eyes. For an airtight fit, consider using goggles outside, or wear sunglasses for added protection against the sun, wind, and other possible eye irritants.

 

Don’t let dry eyes stop you from seeing the world with a clear, fresh view. Make an appointment with an eye doctor at Wing Eyecare for a thorough assessment. With 14 convenient locations throughout South Dayton, Northern Kentucky, and Greater Cincinnati, OH, they also have a team of optometrists offering comprehensive eye exams and treatment for multiple eye conditions. Call (937) 247-2000 or visit them online to view your service options.

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