Ways to Treat Dry Eyes

Photo by: Bigstockphoto
Photo by: Bigstockphoto

Dry eyes occur when there’s an imbalance in the tear system. When this happens, the person experiencing dry eyes may have pain, light sensitivity, a feeling of a foreign body or sand in the eye. They may also feel a gritty sensation in the eye along with itching, redness and blurring of vision. Now if you have dry eyes or experiencing this, don’t panic just yet! There are ways that you can treat it. To know more about what they are, here are the best ways to treat dry eyes.

Eyelid Washes

These are best for dry eyes that are accompanied by flaking along the lids. This is when a dandruff-like inflammation appears on the eyelash follicles that causes further irritation. To use eyelid washes, all you have to do is to rinse or massage the solution over the line of the lashes once a day. It is best to apply the solution at night or as prescribed by your physician.

Ophthalmic inserts

These help by relieving the dryness of the eyes when other remedies don’t work. They are usually prescribed by your ophthalmologist and cannot be bought over the counter. These work when tiny cellulose beads are placed on the lower eyelids which slowly dissolve and mixes with your tears. Once they mix with tears, they can provide your eyes with the lubrication that you need all day.

Drop prescription

This is given for patients with dry eyes syndrome. Eye drop prescriptions work like natural tears. To use them, drop one solution per eye twice a day or as prescribed. They help relieve the DES symptoms when used regularly.

Warm compress

When eye drops don’t help, warm compress can help. Tears ducts are sometimes clogged with oily substances which often lead to poor production of eye lubricants. This will eventually lead to dry eye syndrome. Warm compresses help by unplugging the tear ducts and liquefying them so oil can flow into tears. To do this, all you have to do is place a warm, wet washcloth over your eyes for ten minutes at least once a day or as needed.

Artificial tears

Artificial tears are usually made of glycerin and natural oils that temporarily restore moisture in your eyes. You can usually acquire them over the counter. For this to be effective, put a drop or two in each of your eye whenever you feel discomfort at least once a day. If artificial tears don’t work, it is best to seek your eye doctor immediately especially if you are wearing contact lenses.

 Omega-3s

This works for those who don’t like using eye drops. Omega-3 fatty acids help in reducing the inflammation of the eye that contributes to dry eyes by at least 34%. This usually works when omega-3 fatty acids are added to your diet or if you are taking fish-oil supplements.

Of course these are effective treatments that you can use to cure dry eyes. However, before you proceed to such treatment, make sure to consult your eye doctor first. This way you know which ones will work best for you especially if your dry eye syndrome is one severe case.