If you wake up in the morning feeling like your eyes have spent the night in the desert, or your eyes are itchy, dry, red and irritated all day long, you may have dry eye syndrome (DES). DES is very common, yet many people either ignore it or put up with the condition, not realizing that there are steps they can take to lessen symptoms.

Left untreated, moderate to severe cases of dry eye syndrome can impact your quality of life and even damage your vision. At Dayton Optometric Center in Kettering, Ohio, we diagnose and treat DES. Call us at (937) 228-2020 to schedule a dry eye exam.

What Causes Dry Eyes?

Dry eyes result from not having enough tears, or tears that can't adequately hydrate the eyes. In most cases, DES is caused by a malfunction of the meibomian glands located at the edges of the eyelids. If the glands become blocked, the lipid part of the tears can't enter the tear film, causing tears to evaporate too quickly. Dry eye syndrome can also be caused or worsened by environmental factors like arid weather, wind, air conditioning, excessive screen time, certain medications, some medical conditions, or the natural aging process.

3 Tips to Help Relieve Dry Eye Symptoms

1. Limit Your Screen Time

People blink much less often when looking at a computer, cell phone, or TV screen. The less we blink, the drier our eyes become. Try to limit screen time when possible. If you must spend time on digital devices, make a conscious effort to blink more often and take frequent breaks to rest your eyes.

2. Eat Healthy and Hydrate

Your eyes need moisture to function properly. Aim to drink sufficient water throughout the day. In addition to fruits and vegetables, eat nuts, legumes, whole grains, and lean proteins. Fatty fish is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which can help keep your eyes hydrated.

3. Control Your Environment

If you work indoors, consider adding moisture to the air with a humidifier, which should be routinely cleaned to prevent bacterial growth. When outdoors, consider wearing wraparound sunglasses to prevent dry air and wind from affecting your tear film. Placing a warm compress on your closed eyelids for a few minutes can also help soothe your eyes.

As helpful as these tips may be, they're not a substitute for seeing your eye doctor, who can determine the underlying cause of your symptoms and prescribe the best treatment. Contact Dayton Optometric Center in Kettering, Ohio today to schedule your dry eye exam. Call (937) 228-2020.