Preventing Dry Eye During the Winter

Tips to Reduce the Symptoms of Dry Eyes

When the temperatures drop in Cleveland, we start turning on the heat in our homes. With the heat running, the air inside of our homes can dry out—leading to dry eyes. You may experience the symptoms of dry eye when your glands don’t produce enough natural tears. Without the lubrication of tears, our eyes become irritated. Keep in mind that occasional dry eye is normal—especially as the seasons change—but if you continue to experience these symptoms without any relief, speak with your eye doctor.

These are some of the most common symptoms of dry eye:

• Stinging
• Blurry vision
• Red eyes
• Scratching
• Sensitivity to light

This winter, you can take some simple steps to prevent dry eyes.

→Run an indoor humidifier. This can help restore the moisture in the air.

→Avoid using a hair dryer. When you can, let your hair dry naturally.

→Reduce your heater usage. If possible, keep your home slightly cooler.

→Take breaks from your screen. Make sure you are blinking regularly.

→Wear sunglasses outside. Doing so protects your eyes no matter the weather.

→Add more omega–3 fatty acids to your diet. This can lower the risk of dry eye.

If you are interested in laser eye surgery, but you suffer regularly from dry eyes, you may not be a strong candidate for LASIK. Instead, your LASIK surgeon may recommend PRK surgery, which does not affect your eyes’ ability to produce tears. Please do not hesitate to reach out to LVC with any questions or to schedule a free quote. 
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