Are Your Eyes Constantly Dry?

Dry eyes can be bothersome and painful—and according to Penny Asbell, MD, PhD, professor of ophthalmology at Mount Sinai, it’s one of the most common reasons people consult an eye doctor. “People with dry eyes may complain of having red eyes or eye irritation, or say their eyes don’t feel good, their vision comes and goes, and they have to blink to see well,” Dr. Asbell says.

Certain risk factors make you more vulnerable to dry eyes (see What You Should Know). Dr. Asbell also points to changes in the watery and/or lipid components of tears as another possible cause. If you’re suffering from dry eyes, try these options to treat the problem: 

1. Try “Artificial” Tears Dr. Asbell says that artificial tears, which are available over-the-counter (OTC) at pharmacies, can be helpful when it comes to balancing the components that make up tears (water, oil, and mucus). “But not all artificial tears are the same,” she cautions. “Some provide more watery component, others more lipid, and some are thicker and better for using before you go to sleep at night.” She adds that many eyedrops contain preservatives to prevent contamination. “Unfortunately preservatives can worsen dry eyes and cause other issues,” she notes. “If you need to use drops more than four times per day, use a preservative-free option.”

2. Hydrate Because your body needs adequate amounts of water to make plenty of high-quality tears, ensuring that you stay hydrated is one of the most important steps you can take in controlling dry eyes. Aim to drink at least six 8-ounce glasses of fluids per day.

3. Avoid Triggers Many people find that certain environmental conditions and habits can make their dry eye symptoms worse. Examples include tasks that require concentration, during which you may tend to keep your eyes wide open, and blink less often. When you’re using a computer, look away from the screen for a moment, so that you automatically blink, and so remoisten the surface of your eyes,” Dr. Asbell advises. “Wind, dry air, and smoke also may aggravate dry eyes, so try to avoid these.”

4. Boost Your Omega-3 Intake Along with plenty of water, tear production also requires fatty oils. There is some research suggesting that a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids may help—a 2014 meta-analysis found that participants who took omega 3 supplements had better scores on two tests for dry eyes.

Dr. Asbell is currently leading a study that is investigating whether fish oil supplements—which are rich in omega-3s—are an effective dry eyes remedy. As yet, there are no results to report, but you can boost your omega-3 intake by taking fish oil supplements, and by consuming plenty of foods that are high in omega 3s—for example, fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, halibut and sardines), soybeans, walnuts, flax seed, and canola oil.

5. Get Enough Vitamin D In one study, people who were deficient in vitamin D had lower scores on tests that determine whether the eyes are producing enough tears to keep them moist.

Vitamin D is made by the body when it is exposed to sunlight, but if you live in a region that doesn’t see much sun (particularly in the winter), you may be deficient in the vitamin. You can boost levels with a supplement, and by eating foods that contain the vitamin (such as fatty fish, fortified milk and cereals, beef liver, whole eggs, and fish oil).

6. Other Strategies If self-help measures don’t provide relief, ask your eye doctor about tiny silicone plugs (called “punctal” plugs) that can be inserted into your tear ducts to prevent the tears you do produce from draining away. Since most people with dry eyes have some underlying inflammation, your doctor also may recommend prescription anti-inflammatory eyedrops (for example, Restasis® or Xiidra®). “Also be sure to discuss with your primary care doctor whether any medications you are taking might be contributing to the problem,” Dr. Asbell says. “Lowering the dosage or substituting different drugs may help.”   

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