6 Lifestyle Tips for Combating Dry Eyes
Dry eye is a condition that occurs when your tear ducts aren’t able to provide your eyes with enough lubrication. It is generally characterized by itching, redness, discharge, and even blurred vision in some cases. In this situation, along with prescribed medication, altering your everyday habits can also bring about a significant change in your overall condition. So, to guide you, listed below are some lifestyle changes for dry eyes:
Give your eyes frequent breaks
When your eyes remain glued to the TV or phone screen, you blink your eyes less frequently and this further contributes to the dry eye condition. To avoid this, experts suggest looking at something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds, every 20 minutes. Along with this, you should blink often to keep your eyes hydrated, and find a recreational activity that can help them relax.
Understand the triggers
Among the many lifestyle changes for dry eyes, this is highly beneficial. It is necessary to understand what triggers symptoms of dry eyes. These may include windy weather, prolonged exposure to the screen, some medicines, and air conditioning, among others. Different triggers affect different individuals.
Keep it clean
Sleeping with makeup and contact lenses on can result in dry eyes and even bacterial infections. This can clog the tear glands and reduce the production of tears in your eyes. Hence, you should wash your eyes after removing your makeup and contact lenses.
Increase the humidity level
Installing a humidifier in your room to keep the air moist will definitely prevent itching and dryness in your eyes. Studies suggest that maintaining 40 percent of humidity in your room is ideal for helping the eyes relax while you are asleep.
Avoid smoking
Many reports claim that smokers are twice as likely to suffer from dry eyes than non-smokers. Smoking has many negative impacts on your health, one of them being dry eyes. Therefore, you should avoid smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke, as it can be equally problematic.
Wear wraparound glasses
Spending a day at beach or in the field can be rejuvenating but it can also affect the eyes of those suffering from dry eyes. As wind, the sun, and heat can absorb away the moisture present in your eyes. it is important to protect the latter with wraparound sunglasses.
A dry eye is a condition that requires proper care and attention to avoid future complications. To prevent its symptoms from aggravating, you can try the above-mentioned lifestyle changes and even explore some of your own.