Struggling with Dry Eyes? Aside from seeing your optometric physician and following his or her care plan, there are plenty of things you can do to help your progress:

  1. Turn off ceiling fans and point vents away from your face in the car or bedroom.
  2. Use a room humidifier in your bedroom with the door shut during winter months.
  3. Use heat on your eyelids for at least 5 minutes daily  (look for microwavable eye masks) Always remove make-up and clean your lids before sleeping.
  4. Blink! We tend to reduce our blink rate when on devices—blink as often as you can remember.  Also, every 20 minutes on the computer, take a 20 second breakand look 20 feet away. ( 20-20-20 rule)  You can download the Donald Korb Blink Training App ( Apple  | Android ) to help you remember to blink.
  5. Sleep goggles (masks) can help reduce tear evaporation at night and are especially helpful for those who use a CPAP machine or those who don’t close their eyes completely when they sleep.  TranquilEyes or Onyix masks are available online.
  6. You can use preservative free artificial tears as needed along with any treatments we prescribe.
  7. Keep your follow up appointments!  We start slowly and add therapies as needed. It may take a few visits and a precise combination of individualized treatments to find the best strategy for you.
  8. You can track your progress with the OSDI App ( Apple  |  Android )
  9. Increase Omega 3 Fatty Acids in your diet– Salmon, Walnuts, Sardines, & Broccoli

source: “Dry Eye and What You Can Do To Help” By Kimberly Friedman, OD, FAAO  eyecare.org Eyecare.org. March. 2018, Web. March 18th, 2018.

For more helpful eyecare and vision care tips, please visit our main blog page.