Moisture Mastery: Tackling Dry Eyes with Ease
The crisp time of year has arrived. October is often synonymous with sweater weather and pumpkin spice lattes. However, that sudden change in temperature can also have an effect on your eyes. The dip in humidity can lead to those dreaded dry eyes. The constant scratching and itching of your eyes can just put a whole damper on the season. You’re not alone! Luckily, there are a few tips and tricks that you can follow to help you tackle dry eyes all season long.
What are dry eyes?
Before delving into how to help combat the dryness of the season, it’s important to understand what dry eyes actually are. Dry eyes occur when not enough tears are produced in the eye or they evaporate quickly due to changes in the humidity levels of the season. This can lead to discomfort, redness, and itchiness. Along with that, extensive exposure to screens and indoor heating can aggravate the situation. Most of us tend to just deal with it or ignore the situation. However, knowing how to tackle the situation early can help prevent long-term damage to the eyes.
What can be done to prevent dry eyes?
Being proactive about how to avoid dry eyes, is the first step this season. Here are a few tips on how to do just that.
Stay Hydrated: Ensuring that your body is hydrated inside and out is key. Drink plenty of water during the day. The rule of thumb is to drink at least 8 glasses of water daily. Because there is less humidity in the hair, and the heaters are turned on indoors, having a good humidifier can help prevent those dry eyes.
Eye Drops: Eye drops is the first thing people think of using when facing dry eyes. However, not all eye drops are created equal. Investing in quality eye drops is very crucial. Choosing one with no preservatives to avoid further irritation to the eyes for example is something to consider. Artificial tears that contain lipids can also help to stabilize the tear film and prevent evaporation. Keep a bottle handy in your bag or desk for quick relief.
Limit Screentime: Yes, we’re all guilty of spending too much time in front of our digital devices. But, limiting screentime can have a huge impact in preventing dry eyes. Practicing the 20-20-20 rule is something one should keep in mind. Every 20 minutes, you take 20 second break, looking at something 20 feet away. This will help your eyes take a break, reduce eye strain, and encourage natural blinking, keep your eyes hydrated.
Protect Your Eyes: Being outdoors in windier weather can also lead to dryer eyes. In order to prevent that, ensure you have wrap-around eyewear to shield your eyes from the wind and sun. If you wear contact lenses, consider switching to prescribed sunglasses to avoid those seasonal elements.
Omega-3 rich diet: As the saying goes, you are what you eat. It has been shown that foods right in omega-3s can help promote tear production in the eyes. This therefore helps keep your eyes hydrated even further.
When should I see a doctor?
Although these tips and tricks to a lifestyle change are a great way to prevent dry eyes, you should always be vigilant if the situation gets worse or escalades. If the redness increases, pain settles in and changes in your vision occur, you must go see your eye care specialist, like the ones at Le Lunetier. They are able to access the situation, prescribe the right medication and help lead you towards a dryness-free eye health season.
Don't let dry eyes dampen your October spirit. With these moisture mastery tips, you can tackle dry eyes with ease and enjoy the beauty of the season without discomfort. Remember, your eyes are precious—give them the care they deserve, and they'll reward you with clear, comfortable vision all autumn long.
