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Six Tips To Treat Dry Eye On The Go

Most likely if you have dry eyes, you know it. Kind of like the song: “If you have dry eyes and you know it, clap your hands!” Seriously, dry eyes are not fun!

It can be a constant irritant that makes your life miserable, especially after age 50.

You Know The Drill

Your eyes are red, itchy and fatigued when you have dry eye. You vision is blurry, there is a burning sensation and you can be light sensitive.

You can also have excessive tearing with dry eye syndrome and feel like there is something in your eye,

All of these symptoms can become unbearable if you wear contact lenses. The contacts in fact make your eyes even more dry.

So what to do? Here are some tips to deal with dry eye on the go.

Tip #1: Never Leave Home Without Your Artificial Tears

The environment and our constant use of computers and handheld devices exacerbate dry eye. Looking at screens for long periods of time causes us to blink less, keeping eyes dry. Experiment with different types of over-the-counter moisture drops and keep one with you, one in your desk at work and of course one at home. Use as often as you wish to keep your eyes soothed.

If you do a lot of traveling for business or pleasure, it’s important to counter the dry eye on an airplane with your OTC moisture drops.

Tip #2: Manage Your Dry Eye With Punctal Plugs

Your eye professional can insert punctal plugs into the drainage ducts in your eyes to prevent moisture from draining out of your eyes. It is a simple procedure that takes minutes.

Tip #3: Warm Compresses And Baby Shampoo

At night open clogged glands by using warm compresses. Each night put a moist washcloth in the microwave and heat it until it is very, very hot. Rest in a chair and place the cloth over your closed eyelids until the cloth loses heat. Repeat at least one more time.

Then use the warm washcloth to thoroughly clean your eyelids and lashes with baby shampoo.

Tip #4: Concentrate On Blinking

Sounds silly, but it will help keep your eyes moist. No matter what you are doing, stop occasionally and slowly blink a dozen times to encourage tears.

Tip #5: Wear Sunglasses

This is a no-brainer. Keeps wind and debris out of your eyes.

Tip #6: Get Off The Merry-Go-Round And Get LASIK

Schedule a LASIK consultation at South Texas Eye Institute and discover if you are a candidate for laser vision correction, especially if you wear contact lenses. Dry eye could become a thing of the past.

Let us help you control your dry eye.