It’s the time of year where we see an influx of patients suffering from dry eye and allergic conjunctivitis (eye allergies). Unfortunately, both of these conditions tend to flare up in the spring and are often confused with each other because they share similar symptoms.
It goes without saying that if you need dry eye treatment that we are here for you. We have ample experience and significant medical training (not to mention equipment) that gives us an edge when assessing dry eye.
Two Things You Can Do At Home That Can Improve Your Dry Eye
While working with one of our Optometrists is your best bet for combatting dry eye (especially if your dry eye is chronic), that isn’t to say that there aren’t things that you can do that will positively influence your dry eye symptoms.
If your dry eye is bothering you, here are a couple of things to try:
CONTROL YOUR ENVIRONMENT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE
Dry eye is often caused by a combination of factors, and because of that it can be difficult to isolate its cause(s). For that reason we always recommend that our patients do what they can to control all the variables possible.
Your home is one such area where you can have significant influence. Try the following:
- Ensure your ambient humidity levels average around 55% or more – This isn’t an issue for most homes in Vancouver, but it’s important to mention just the same.
- Avoid areas with smoke – Smoke, be it caused from a bonfire or from a cigarette, can play havoc with dry eye. Smoke is an irritant, and your eyes are particularly sensitive. As an aside: if you are a smoker, you may find relief from quitting or reducing how much you smoke.
- Stay indoors when it’s windy – Wind is annoying when you don’t have dry eyes; it’s sometimes deliberating for those that do. Wind blowing against the eye will cause tears to evaporate even faster and can also blow dust (or other debris) into your eye.If you are unable to avoid the outdoors, where glasses or sunglasses to minimize how much wind impacts your eyes.
- Avoid dusty areas – Airborne dust/particles can make dry eye feel that much worse. Whenever possible, stick to areas that have good air quality.
TAKE BREAKS WHEN READING OR WORKING AT A COMPUTER
Often, when reading or working at a computer, people neglect to blink as often as they should. Given that dry eye is caused by a lack of proper eye lubrication, blinking at a reduced rate is only going to make things worse.
Take frequent breaks and follow the 20/20/20 rule (every 20 minutes look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds).
We’re Here to Help When You Need Us
It goes without saying that we are here to help with your dry eye. We are dry eye specialists, incorporating some of the latest technology available for the treatment and management of dry eye (such as IPL dry eye treatment).
