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Eat more fish Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish and fish oil, may help improve the eye’s oil film, which is produced by the meibomian glands, found on the edges of the eyelids, according to the AAO. They have since been discovered by the dry eye community and are often recommended by eye-care professionals as a low-cost way to keep irritating particles away from your eyes.Ħ. Wear onion glasses Originally created for cooks, these goggles are designed to keep your eyes from tearing up while - yep, you guessed it - chopping onions. “When we’re tending to our phone or computer, we’re not blinking as often, and we’re exposing the eye, which causes drying.”ĥ. Hovanesian, using a compress forces you to take a break for a few minutes from your screen. “What I like about them is that they are very simple, stimulate natural tear production, are very inexpensive, and anybody can use them.” And best of all, adds Dr. “There are some commercially available compresses that you can put in the microwave,” says John Hovanesian, MD, a clinical spokesperson for the AAO and an ophthalmologist at Harvard Eye Associates in Laguna Hills, California. You can use a wet washcloth or buy an eye compress. Make sure you prepare your compress in an environment that is as clean and sterile as possible. (Before you apply a compress to your eyes, always wash your eyelids using the above instructions.)įinding the sweet spot for temperature is key: not too hot, but warm enough to be therapeutic. Apply a warm compress Applying a moist, warm compress to your eyes can help your eyelids produce more lipids, which can boost tear quality and relieve some dry eye symptoms, suggests the AAO. Simply close your eyes and gently massage the area with the cleaner and then rinse with cool or lukewarm water.Ĥ. Cleansing your eyelids and the surrounding area with a mild soap or baby shampoo can help ease irritation, according to the AAO. Wash your eyelids If you have dry eye, give that area a little extra TLC when you wash your face. Staring at objects close-up puts more strain on your eyes, so focusing on something 20 feet away gives them a little break.ģ.
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Every 20 minutes, spend at least 20 seconds looking at something 20 feet away. Along with blinking more frequently, you should try to take breaks to rest your eyes. Take frequent computer breaks Many jobs require people to spend hours in front of the computer every day.
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Most people typically blink about 15 times a minute, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), but that average can drop by more than half if you’re staring at a screen.Ģ. Spend a lot of time looking at a computer screen? This tip goes double for you. It helps renew tear film, which is important for protecting and moisturizing eyes.
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Blink regularly Blinking is something we tend to take for granted, but consciously blinking more regularly is recommended by the AOA to help with dry eye. Here are some simple techniques and popular remedies that you can discuss with your doctor.ġ. Even if you try something that could be helpful, you may be doing it too often or incorrectly. Akpek, MD, a professor of ophthalmology and the director of the Ocular Surface Disease and Dry Eye Clinic at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore. While there are a variety of remedies and lifestyle changes you can make to try to ease the symptoms, you should first discuss them with your doctor, says Esen K. If you begin to experience dry eye symptoms or have any trouble with your vision, you should see an eye doctor. It can be uncomfortable and even painful, with the most common symptoms being burning, pain, and redness. But not all of them are created equal.Īccording to the American Optometric Association (AOA), dry eye occurs when a person doesn't have enough quality tears to lubricate and nourish the eye. If you’re one of the estimated 16 million people in the United States who has dry eye, then you probably know there are a lot of home remedies for the condition.
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