Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSelf-Care RoutineSpecialist CareSide Effects
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Self-Care Routine
Specialist Care
Side Effects
You need a plan to manage dry eye syndrome. The good news is that you can make simple modifications and may be able to rely on natural remedies. Self-care for dry eye syndrome includes daily use of drops, consuming certain foods and supplements, and other changes.
Some steps include modifying digital habits, using daily drops and moisturizers, changing your environment, and more.
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Dry Eye Self-Care Routine
Daily Drops and Moisturizers
Withdry eye syndrome, you do not produce enough tears, or the tears are of poor quality and evaporate too quickly.Lubricating eye drops, known asartificial tears, are available over the counter. Artificial tears have much the samecomposition as natural tears.
In cases of more severedry eye syndrome, you may need thicker gels or ointments to prevent moisture from evaporating from the surface.Talk with an eye doctor (such as anophthalmologistor optometrist) aboutwhich drops or moisturizers are bestfor your condition and how often to use them.
Apply a Warm Compress
Awarm compresscan help the oil glands around the eyes release oil to help keep the eye moisturized.Cleaning your eyelashes regularly may also help.
Digital Habits
Changes in Your Environment
Little changes in everyday life may help you to combat dry eye. The following measures may make a difference
Diets and Supplements
What you eat and drink may also play a role in dry eye care, but it’s essential to look closely at current evidence.Fish oil supplements with omega-3 fatty acidswere previously thought to help alleviate dry eyes, but the American Academy of Ophthalmology says research has shown otherwise.
It has also not been proven that a diet rich in omega-3 impacts dry eye syndrome.However, salmon, tuna, herring, cod liver, and sardines provide substantial omega-3 and are part of a healthy diet.
Drink enough water and other fluids to prevent dehydration, which may worsen dry eye symptoms.
Handling Dry Eye FrustrationsBeyond the physical, dry eye disease can take its toll on your emotions. The extra day-to-day steps and debilitating symptoms can leave you feeling drained and exasperated. Here are some ways to release this frustration:Practice relaxation.Get psychological support for any depression you may be experiencing.Ask about antidepressant medication or antianxiety medication to help.
Handling Dry Eye Frustrations
Beyond the physical, dry eye disease can take its toll on your emotions. The extra day-to-day steps and debilitating symptoms can leave you feeling drained and exasperated. Here are some ways to release this frustration:Practice relaxation.Get psychological support for any depression you may be experiencing.Ask about antidepressant medication or antianxiety medication to help.
Beyond the physical, dry eye disease can take its toll on your emotions. The extra day-to-day steps and debilitating symptoms can leave you feeling drained and exasperated. Here are some ways to release this frustration:
How a Specialist Fits Into Self-Care
While you may make simple changes to control your dry eye, these measures may not be enough. You may need to see an eye specialist (ophthalmologist or optometrist) who can diagnose andaddress your dry eye needs.
An eye specialist can prescribe more effective drops than those available over the counter. They may prescribe anti-inflammatory drops such asRestasis or Cequa (cyclosporine), or Xiidra (lifitegrast), which can help you produce the tears you need more easily.
Or, they may prescribe a steroid drop, Eysuvis (loteprednol), to reduce inflammation. Because of potential side effects, this can only be used for two weeks at a time and may be prescribed in conjunction with one of the other drops.
Tyrvaya (varenicline solution) nasal spray stimulates the production of tears, oils, and mucin. It is easy to use and can avoid some of the burning and stinging that may come with instilling eye drops.
Another approach a provider may take is toput tiny plugs in the inner corners of your eyesto help keep your tears on the surface rather than draining away. Such plugs may last for just a few months before dissolving, or they may remain in place for several years.
Your eye care provider may also prescribe special, large custom contacts for dry eyes that reach the eye’s white part, known as the sclera. These lenses keep saline fluid against the corneal surface while keeping dust and debris at bay.
“Dry Eye Syndrome” vs. “Dry Eye Disease”
Balancing Medication Side Effects
The medication you take to reduce dry eye can bring great relief. Unfortunately, it may also produce side effects at times. With Restasis, for example, you may experience burning and stinging. As well, while taking Xiidra, about 25% of people may have to deal with an unusual taste and, at times, irritation.
Steroids can increase eye pressure and cause conditions likeglaucoma(chronic high pressure in the eye) andcataracts(clouding of the lens), delayed wound healing, and heightened risk of infection.
If one medication is causing debilitating side effects, your ophthalmologist may recommend switching you to something else you will tolerate better.
Summary
Self-careis a must for anyone with dry eye syndrome. This may involve changing habits or the home, work, or school environment. It may also mean relying on over-the-counter products or those an eye specialist prescribes.
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is dry eye? Symptoms, causes, and treatment.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Lubricating eye drops for dry eye.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Computers, digital devices, and eye strain.Mount Sinai.Dry eye syndrome.Harvard Health Publishing.The latest thinking on dry eye treatments.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Can fish oil relieve dry eye?Office of Dietary Supplements.Omega-3 fatty acids.Cataract and Refractive Surgery Today.The psychology of dry eye disease.Alamri A, Bakri S, Alqahtani R, et al.Prevalence of depression among people with dry eye disease: empirical analysis from the Southern Region of Saudi Arabia.Cureus. 2023;15(5):e39253. doi:10.7759/cureus.39253American Academy of Ophthalmology.Improved dry eye drugs for 2022 and beyond.University of Utah Health.Scleral contact lenses might be the best solution you never heard of for dry eye and more.Miami Contact Lens Institute.9 types of dry eye disease you need to know.Moran Core.Ocular side-effects of corticosteroids.
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is dry eye? Symptoms, causes, and treatment.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Lubricating eye drops for dry eye.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Computers, digital devices, and eye strain.Mount Sinai.Dry eye syndrome.Harvard Health Publishing.The latest thinking on dry eye treatments.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Can fish oil relieve dry eye?Office of Dietary Supplements.Omega-3 fatty acids.Cataract and Refractive Surgery Today.The psychology of dry eye disease.Alamri A, Bakri S, Alqahtani R, et al.Prevalence of depression among people with dry eye disease: empirical analysis from the Southern Region of Saudi Arabia.Cureus. 2023;15(5):e39253. doi:10.7759/cureus.39253American Academy of Ophthalmology.Improved dry eye drugs for 2022 and beyond.University of Utah Health.Scleral contact lenses might be the best solution you never heard of for dry eye and more.Miami Contact Lens Institute.9 types of dry eye disease you need to know.Moran Core.Ocular side-effects of corticosteroids.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is dry eye? Symptoms, causes, and treatment.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Lubricating eye drops for dry eye.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Computers, digital devices, and eye strain.Mount Sinai.Dry eye syndrome.Harvard Health Publishing.The latest thinking on dry eye treatments.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Can fish oil relieve dry eye?Office of Dietary Supplements.Omega-3 fatty acids.Cataract and Refractive Surgery Today.The psychology of dry eye disease.Alamri A, Bakri S, Alqahtani R, et al.Prevalence of depression among people with dry eye disease: empirical analysis from the Southern Region of Saudi Arabia.Cureus. 2023;15(5):e39253. doi:10.7759/cureus.39253American Academy of Ophthalmology.Improved dry eye drugs for 2022 and beyond.University of Utah Health.Scleral contact lenses might be the best solution you never heard of for dry eye and more.Miami Contact Lens Institute.9 types of dry eye disease you need to know.Moran Core.Ocular side-effects of corticosteroids.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is dry eye? Symptoms, causes, and treatment.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Lubricating eye drops for dry eye.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Computers, digital devices, and eye strain.
Mount Sinai.Dry eye syndrome.
Harvard Health Publishing.The latest thinking on dry eye treatments.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Can fish oil relieve dry eye?
Office of Dietary Supplements.Omega-3 fatty acids.
Cataract and Refractive Surgery Today.The psychology of dry eye disease.
Alamri A, Bakri S, Alqahtani R, et al.Prevalence of depression among people with dry eye disease: empirical analysis from the Southern Region of Saudi Arabia.Cureus. 2023;15(5):e39253. doi:10.7759/cureus.39253
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Improved dry eye drugs for 2022 and beyond.
University of Utah Health.Scleral contact lenses might be the best solution you never heard of for dry eye and more.
Miami Contact Lens Institute.9 types of dry eye disease you need to know.
Moran Core.Ocular side-effects of corticosteroids.
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