Once your optometrist knows what is causing your dry eye, they can give you advice on how to manage it. There are four main ways to help your dry eye.
1. Try to keep your eyelids clean
Eyeliner, particularly when put on the rim of your eyelid, may block the meibomian glands that produce the oily part of your tear film. This may cause the area around your eyes to be inflamed. It is also important to make sure you keep your eyelids clean, particularly if you have blepharitis.
2. Be aware of your environment
There are some environments that may make your eyes feel more dry. High temperatures and central heating may increase the evaporation of your tears and make your eyes feel more dry, as can draughts and air conditioning. You may find it helpful to reduce the temperature of your central heating at home and try to avoid draughts near your face, for example by directing car air vents away from your face. Some people find that using a humidifier to put more water into the air may help to slow down the evaporation of their tears. If you are out on a windy day you may find it useful to wear glasses or sunglasses (ideally the wraparound type) to protect your eyes from the wind. Try to avoid smoky atmospheres as these may irritate your eyes.
3. Use eye lubricants
There are several types of eye lubricants available. Most of these aim to lubricate your eyes by giving you extra moisture. They are available as drops, gels or ointment, and most are available without a prescription. If you find the drops wash out of your eye too quickly you may find the gel-type better as they are thicker and so stay in your eye for longer.
Ointment is generally used for people whose eyes dry out at night because they do not fully close their eyes. Ointments are usually used only at night because they are sticky and cause blurry vision. Eye lubricants do not contain any drugs and so you can use them as often as you like. However, some contain preservatives which may make your eyes sore. If you are using them more than six times a day you should use preservative-free drops. If your dry eye is caused by your tears evaporating too quickly, you may find it helpful to use a spray rather than artificial tear drops. These sprays aim to replenish the oily layer of your tears and stop them evaporating as quickly. They are available without prescription and are sprayed onto the edges of your eyelids when your eyes are closed. When you open your eyes the solution spreads across the surface of your eye, creating a new oily film.
4. Nutritional Supplements
Doctors sometimes recommend nutritional supplements as part of a holistic dry eye treatment plan. Studies have found that supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids can decrease dry eye symptoms.
Good sources of omega-3s include cold-water fish such as salmon, sardines, herring and cod. For a vegetarian source of omega-3s, some eye doctors recommend flaxseed oil to relieve dry eye.
Drinking more water can help, too. Mild dehydration often makes dry eye problems worse. This is especially true during hot, dry and windy weather. Simply drinking more water sometimes reduces the symptoms of dry eye syndrome.