Do you suffer from dry eye syndrome? If so, the winter months can cause your symptoms to flare up.
The good news is that dry eye syndrome is treatable. Prescription-strength eye drops are a good start.
Eye ointments and lifestyle adjustments are also useful. Proper dry eye treatment can relieve you of the painful discomfort of dry eye syndrome.
Keep reading for some ways you can treat your dry eyes this winter!
Schedule an Eye Exam
The first step if you want to treat dry eye syndrome (or any eye condition) is scheduling a comprehensive eye exam. Dry eye syndrome is a result of a lack of lubricating tears.
It can also be a result of low tear volume. The only way to diagnose dry eye syndrome is with an eye exam.
During your eye exam, your eye doctor will examine the surface of your eye. They will look for tear residue.
They will check the tear film on your eye, or if you’re lacking any. They will check your tear ducts to ensure they are producing enough tears.
This helps your eye doctor diagnose if you have dry eyes. A proper diagnosis leads to the best course of treatment.
This could be prescription strength eye drops, eye ointments, or simple lifestyle changes.
Add Humidity to Your Environment
Dry environments cause dry eye symptoms to worsen. For many climates, the winter months are naturally drier.
Heating an indoor area like your home or office can make the environment even drier. A humidifier can counteract dry indoor environments by adding moisture to the air.
You can’t control the frightful weather outside but you can control the humidity of your indoor environment.
Wear Wraparound Sunglasses
Protect your eyes from the wind and cold of the winter months with a pair of wraparound sunglasses. Wearing sunglasses can keep your dry eye syndrome from worsening.
Polarized sunglasses are a great investment for wintertime eye protection. Orange tinted lenses can soften the brightness of cloudy environments.
Keep Artificial Tears on Hand
Artificial tears are a quick and easy way to lubricate your eyes and ease frustrating dry eye symptoms. They are available for over-the-counter use and you can find them at any pharmacy.
Prescription-strength artificial tears can add relief beyond the over-the-counter solutions. For severe dry eye syndrome, your doctor may recommend serum tears.
These are custom-made artificial tears that use serum from your blood to lubricate your eyes. They are much stronger and lubricate your eyes beyond any commercial artificial tears.
Don’t Forget About Warm Compresses
Dry eye syndrome can be painful to your eyes, as well as your eyelids. Crusting can form on and around your eyelids.
A warm compression treatment can relieve the pain and discomfort of dry eye syndrome. It also removes the crusting that forms around your eyes.
Heat a washcloth with hot water until it is very warm, but doesn’t hurt to touch. Place the washcloth over your eyes and gently rub your eyelids.
This will add moisture to both your eyes and eyelids. Massaging your eyelids with light pressure will remove any crusting from your eyes. It will also make your eyes more comfortable.
Think you might have dry eye syndrome? The only way to diagnose the condition is through an eye exam. Schedule yours today with Omaha Eye & Laser Institute in Lincoln, NE!
