If your eyes have recently felt dry, been more watery than usual, or you feel an itchy, burning sensation, you may be living with dry eyes. They are a fairly common condition and are typically caused by allergies, certain medications, or spending too much time in a dry environment. Regardless of the cause, you’ll want to alleviate the itching and burning sensations. To help, Eric G. Stocker, OD, an eye doctor serving the Amherst, OH, area lists his tips for soothing the condition.

A Brief Guide to Relieving Dry Eyes

1. Limit Screen Time

Many spend the day sitting in front of a computer or smartphone at work, only to come home and watch hours of television. This extended screen exposure strains your eyes over time, resulting in dryness or itchiness. You can protect your vision by turning down the brightness of your screen and taking frequent breaks.

2. Keep Your Work & Home Areas Clean

Few people consider indoor air quality when trying to trace the source of their dry eyes. However, if your home or workspace is dirty, it causes dust mites and other allergens to collect. These trigger histamine reactions including sneezing, coughing, and dry eyes. Protect yourself by cleaning your area once a week, and opening your windows for at least a few minutes each day to allow fresh air to circulate.

3. Be Mindful of Your Contact Use

Exercise care if you wear contact lenses. Do not wear them for more than 12 hours each day and remove them before going to bed at night. Clean and soak them in solution after each use, and invest in disposable lenses to ensure you always have a fresh pair.

4. Use Eye Drops as Needed

Over-the-counter lubricating eye drops are an excellent way to alleviate itchy or burning eyes; use them a few times a day to help restore moisture. For additional, cooling relief, some optometrists recommend storing your eye drops in the refrigerator.

5. Visit Your Eye Doctor

If your dry eyes persist even after following the steps listed above, it could be a sign of a more serious condition. Contact your eye doctor as soon as possible to schedule an exam and assess your issue. They will likely prescribe special eye drops; however, you may require surgery.

If you have recently been experiencing chronic dry eye symptoms and would like to schedule an appointment with a skilled eye doctor, call Eric G. Stocker, OD, at (440) 988-4419. In addition to standard exams, his office also performs optomap® retinal imaging, and cataract screenings. To learn more about his practice, visit the website today.