Is My Air Conditioning Causing My Dry Eyes?

Dry eye is a common condition. For some people, it can be chronic. For others, it can be triggered by a variety of factors.

Living in a dry environment can dry your eyes out as well. But dry air can be caused by artificial sources, too, which is something to be aware of during the hot, summer months.

Excessive air conditioning can, indeed, cause dry eyes. Keep reading to learn more about if your air conditioning could be to blame for your dry eyes !

The Effects of AC

Air conditioning doesn’t only cool the air. It also reduces the humidity of a given space.

The less humid your environment is, the faster tears on the surface of your eye evaporate. This can cause an evaporative dry eye. Dry eye is often a result of inadequate tear production or poor quality of tears.

But when caused by dry air, tears are not given enough time to move over the surface of the eye before evaporating. The good news is that with an evaporative dry eye, you can get relief by changing your environment.

Protect Your Eyes

You don’t have to do away with your AC to relieve your eyes. Staying cool in hot, humid weather is good for your general health.

But try not to sit near any vents while the AC is on. If you can, try not to set the temperature in your home or workplace lower than 74 degrees Fahrenheit.

A humidifier can also counter the drying effects of an AC, but it may also make the room warmer. A better way to keep some moisture in the air while the AC is running is by placing open containers of water in the corners of a room. That way, when the water evaporates, it keeps the air a bit more humid.

Other Possible Causes of Dry Eye

While your AC may be what’s causing your dry eyes, it’s not the only cause. During warmer weather, dry eye is especially common.

Too much exposure to direct sunlight can have many consequences on your health, including damage to your eyes. It’s also a lot easier to become dehydrated in hot weather.

If you’re dehydrated, that means your eyes are as well. So be sure to drink plenty of water and wear sunglasses when you go outside.

Even if your AC is drying out your eyes, it may only be exacerbating a pre-existing condition. Some people are predisposed to dry eye.

This is especially true for women going through hormonal changes like pregnancy or menopause. Protecting your eyes from arid environments can’t hurt when treating chronic dry eye, but other steps may be necessary.

Sometimes changing your diet can reduce symptoms. Eating a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids or even taking fish oil or flaxseed oil supplements can help keep your eyes moist and healthy.

If you suspect you have dry eye syndrome, consult an eye care professional who can diagnose you and supervise your treatment. Going easy on the AC can only help when it comes to your eye health.

Looking for long-term relief of your dry, itchy eyes? Ellis Eye is here to help! Schedule an appointment with us in San Francisco, CA now!