Relieve Symptoms of Dry Eye while Spending Extended Time at Home

The last thing anyone needs right now is to feel physically uncomfortable, but around 5 million people in the U.S. struggle with irritating dry eye symptoms every day. Whether it is caused by allergies, an underlying eye condition, or environmental factors, having dry eyes is no fun. 

If you are struggling to find relief, you are not alone. In fact, there could be things in your own home that might be exacerbating your symptoms.

Things in Your Home That Could Cause Dry Eye Symptoms

  • Poor air quality
  • Dry air
  • Smoke from cigarettes, cooking, etc…
  • Eyestrain
  • Poor diet or lack of crucial vitamins 
  • Allergies to pet dander, dust, etc…

Relieve Dry Eye Symptoms at Home

There is a wide range of dry eye home remedies, but what is best for you? Our eye specialists at NeoVision Eye Center want to help ensure your ocular health and comfort all day, every day. Read on to learn about six simple remedies you can implement at home to help relieve your dry eye symptoms. 

Home Remedies to Soothe Dry Eye Symptoms

1. Invest In an Air Filter and/or Humidifier for Your Home

To protect your home from harmful air pollutants, we encourage all of our Union City patients to use high-quality air filters in their homes. This can help reduce the number of environmental pollutants in your house and greatly improve your dry eye symptoms, as well as your quality of life. 

A home humidifier will also aid in reducing uncomfortable dry eye irritations by introducing more moisture to the air in your home.

2. Protect Your Eyes from Irritants

If you experience uncomfortable dry eyes, make sure to always wear sunglasses or other protective eyewear whenever you leave the house. This barrier can help keep unwanted winds, debris, and harmful pathogens out of your eyes.

Fans, hairdryers, and other household items can also lead to dry eyes, so avoid unnecessary exposure to these appliances as much as possible.

3. Let Your Eyes Rest

Being at home more can mean the amount of time we spend looking at a computer screen, TV, mobile phone, or small text has increased. This can put added strain on your eyes resulting in dry eye irritation, and even headaches.

The best rule to follow when your eyes need a break is the 20-20-20 rule. Every twenty minutes, look away from whatever you are doing and focus on something twenty feet away, for at least twenty seconds. This simple trick can give your eyes the rest they require to maintain optimal health and comfort.

4. Supplement Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Diet and nutrition can play a big role in the health and comfort of your eyes. While you are sheltered in place, make sure daily vitamins and supplements like Omega-3 fatty acids are available in your home. 

Omega-3 is naturally found in fish oil and flaxseed, but if that isn’t on your snack list, taking a supplement once a day can greatly improve your eye health and negative symptoms.

5. Use Artificial Tears to Lubricate Your Eye

There are many lubricating eye drops available without a prescription and can be purchased at most grocery stores. Using artificial tears to keep your eyes moist and less irritated is a common way to manage dry eye symptoms. If you find yourself relying on eye drops excessively and administering them more than once every two to three hours, you may require a prescription-grade lubricant.

6. Keep Your Face and Hands Clean

Maintaining cleanliness and sanitation is more important now than ever before. It’s best to never touch your face, but sometimes it can be impossible to avoid. Washing your hands often can help reduce the spread of harmful germs and pathogens that could enter your body through your eyes, nose or mouth. 

Creating a daily routine of washing your face with a gentle cleanser and washing your hands often throughout the day can help reduce dry eye symptoms as well as the spread of potential sickness.

Contact NeoVision Eye Center for Non-Urgent Eye Care

All of us at NeoVision Eye Center wants to continue to provide our Union City patients with the highest quality care possible at this time. Please contact us with all non-urgent matters at 510-431-5511 and our staff will be available to assist you. If you leave a message please provide an email address and we will follow-up as soon as we are available.