Getting Relief From Dry Eyes

By Lily Chen, OD

Do you ever feel a burning, stinging, or gritty sensation almost like you have sand in your eyes? Do they look red or seem to water a lot even if you’re not crying? You may be suffering from dry eye syndrome, a condition in which the eye does not produce enough quality tears or the tears evaporate too quickly. Some people even experience blurred vision as a result of dry eye. Here will be discussed some of the more common treatments for dry eye syndrome.
Artificial tears are a common over-the-counter remedy for milder cases of dry eye caused by long hours of computer use or reading. Since artificial tears are available in different viscosities (“thicknesses”) like in gel or ointment form, your doctor may recommend a particular brand that is better for you. Prescription eye drops like Xiidra or Restasis may be prescribed for you to reduce ocular inflammation associated with the dryness and to help your body produce more natural tears.
Another treatment for dry eye involves a small, sterile device called punctal plugs which are inserted into the tear drainage ducts to help tears remain on the surface of the eye. Additionally, studies have shown that nutritional supplements like omega-3 fatty acids or flaxseed oil can lessen the symptoms of dry eyes.
Sometimes dry eye can be caused by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), or inadequate oil secretion from the meibomian glands. MGD happens when the openings of the oil glands get clogged, thereby stopping the oil from doing its job –prevent the natural tears from evaporating too quickly. Your eye doctor may perform an in-office treatment called meibomian gland expression to help unclog the meibomian glands.
Some things to consider at home are to avoid sleeping with a running fan or air vent directly above you. Practice good eyelid hygiene techniques, and make sure to thoroughly remove any makeup nightly. Lastly, take occasional breaks and blink more frequently when using a digital device so that your tears can spread evenly across the surface of your eye.
As you can see there are many approaches to combatting dry eye, even some that have not been discussed here. See your eye doctor for a treatment plan tailored specifically for your dry eyes.