What Are The Best Ways To Treat Dry Eye?

Dry eye syndrome, or chronic dry eye, is a very common condition. Many people are prone to it.

Dry eyes can be triggered by a simple chemical change in the body that alters tear production. Dry eye is characterized by inadequate tear production.

This causes uncomfortable symptoms, including redness, irritation, and a burning sensation. If you experience dry eye syndrome, there are several non-invasive ways to treat it.

Keep reading to learn about some of the best ways to treat dry eyes !

Lifestyle Changes

Before anything else, you can try treating your dry eye by changing your environment and lifestyle. If you live in a dry climate, having a humidifier in the house could help ease your symptoms.

You may also find that being properly hydrated helps, especially in the summer months. It’s very easy to get dehydrated when it’s hot out.

Dehydration can cause a variety of health problems, including dry eyes. So drink plenty of water!

To prevent further symptoms or dry eye reoccurring, you should always wear sunglasses outside. You should do this in all kinds of weather, not only when it’s sunny.

Even when it’s cloudy, UV rays can cause damage to your eyes. They can even exacerbate dry eye symptoms in the short term.

Artificial Tears

For relief, artificial tears are a good solution for a mild case of dry eye. You can buy these at most drug stores.

Consult with your eye doctor to get their recommendation on what kind of artificial tears to buy. You can buy them over the counter but they may one in mind that will help with your symptoms.

Dietary Supplements

Dry eyes can also be associated with a lack of nutrients and vitamins. Those with dry eye syndrome may lack enough omega-3 fatty acids in their diet.

Eating more foods with omega-3 fatty acids in them can help your eyes produce more tears. Omega-3 rich foods include fish, flaxseeds, chia seeds, and walnuts.

You can also take nutritional supplements like fish oil or flaxseed oil. When taking supplements, it’s important to know that the body absorbs nutrients better from food.

Prescription Medication

If none of these methods ease your dry eye symptoms, your doctor may prescribe medication. These medications may include eye drops or an oral supplement.

They are usually some combination of an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory. These drugs can reduce swelling and redness in the eye to reduce severe symptoms.

Minimally-Invasive Surgery

If no other methods work to treat your dry eye, there are surgical options. The most common surgical option is inserting plugs into the tear ducts.

These plugs prevent tears from draining from your eyes as quickly. This allows tears to stay on the surface of your eye longer to provide more moisture.

Surgical options for dry eye are usually very minor procedures, but they’re still only used as a last resort. Before considering surgery, your eye care professional will want to try the changes listed above. Often, making lifestyle changes and using OTC medication significantly eases dry eye symptoms.

Tired of living with the symptoms of dry eye? Schedule an appointment at Ellis Eye in San Francisco, CA to discuss your options!