Tears are integral to the health and comfort of your eyes. That’s why chronic dry eye is uncomfortable for the people who experience it. While all vision issues should be checked out by an eye doctor, there are a few steps you can take to relieve your symptoms. 

Do:

Use artificial tears. 

Artificial tears lubricate the eyes and are available without prescriptions.

An eye doctor can also prescribe you higher-strength prescription drops that increase tear production and reduce the inflammation that leads to dry eye. Use these twice a day to combat any discomfort.

Make changes to your home. 

Dry eye is often exacerbated by environmental factors. Air pollution, for example, often increases air dryness and is linked to a range of eye diseases. 

Consider installing a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in your HVAC equipment to reduce the number of contaminants in the air. A humidifier will also inject more moisture into the air.

Don’t:

Strain your eyes.

Whether it’s because of a computer, TV, or smartphone, staring at a screen all day causes vision strain. For people with dry eye, digital eye strain can cause further discomfort.

Follow the 20-20-20 rule to give your eyes a break. Every 20 minutes, look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds. 

Smoke.

Among the many detrimental health effects of smoking cigarettes are ocular conditions, including dry eye. Smoke has a drying effect, which makes redness and irritation worse.

If you smoke, take steps to quit. If you live with someone who smokes, ask them to step outside when smoking. 

West Valley Vision Center in Fairbanks, AK, helps patients manage dry eye and a range of other conditions. These eye doctors combine the advanced procedures and techniques of major clinics with the kindness and compassion of a smaller facility. They’ll prescribe eye drops to fight your symptoms and perform eye exams to find the root cause of the condition. Schedule an appointment today by calling (907) 479-4700 or visit them online to learn more about their services.