Winter Dry Eye Tips

TIPS TO RELIEVE WINTER DRY EYES:

• Keep eyes moist using artificial tears or eye drops. You can apply these a few times each day when the eyes are feeling dry or irritated. If over-the-counter drops don’t help or if you have chronic dry eyes, speak to your eye doctor about finding the best drops for you. Since not all artificial tears are the same, knowing the cause of your dry eye will help your eye doctor determine which brand is best suited for your eyes.
• Use a humidifier to counteract the drying effects of indoor heaters or generally dry air.
• Keep car vents or indoor heaters away from your face when the heat is on.
• Drink a lot of water!
• Protect your eyes outdoors with sunglasses or goggles.
• Soothe dry eyes using a warm compress and never rub them!
• Give your eyes a digital break. Follow the 20/20/20 rule by taking a break every 20 minutes to look 20 feet away for 20 seconds and make sure you blink!

Dry eye syndrome is a chronic condition in which the eyes do not produce enough tears, or do not produce quality tears. If you find that the tips above do not alleviate your discomfort or symptoms, it may be time to see a optometrist to see if your condition requires more effective medical treatment.

Schedule your dry eye evaluation at Cascade Vision Center with one of our dry eye specialists.