How to Prevent Dry Eyes
Dry eyes are caused by a shortage or lack of tears in the eye cavity. This can be further aggravated by certain daily activities, such as working in front of a computer screen, being exposed to dry air, allergies, use of contact lenses, or some medications.
These can cause what is known as "dry eye syndrome" , a fairly common problem which we must know how to treat properly. OneHowTo shares some tips on how to prevent dry eyes as much as possible, and thus effectively reduce discomfort.
Steps to follow:
The symptoms of dry eyes are very bothersome, and include the following:
- Bloodshot eyes
- Grittiness in the eyes
- Discomfort when wearing contact lenses
- Discomfort when exposed to light
- Excess tears as a result of dry eyes
To prevent dry eyes, you should make sure you are always be well-hydrated - drink plenty of water and reduce consumption of alcohol. The latter dehydrates our body, which affects the eyes and other mucous membranes.
Be careful with your diet - eat a healthy and balanced diet, keeping fat intake low and increasing carbohydrates. Also increase foods containing vitamin A, such as carrots, red fruits, dairy, eggs, and foods with vitamin C like citrus fruit. Spinach also protects the cornea, so it is ideal to add this vegetable to your meals.
If you use contact lenses during the day for a prolonged length of time, you may suffer dry eyes. Therefore, we recommend taking them out during workdays or once you get home as wearing them throughout the day will lead to dry eyes. Try alternating lenses with glasses to allow your eyes to have a rest from time to time. Of course, never sleep wearing contact lenses.
Artificial tears in the form of eye drops are useful for times when your eyes are dry - you can use them as many times a day as you need. Consult your doctor for advice on which type is best and how much you should use.
We recommend using ointments and creams to moisturize the eye area at night only because they tend to cause our vision to become blurred. Only apply before you go to sleep - you can buy these without a prescription at your pharmacy.
Try not to expose your eyes to sources of heat or dry air, even when it's cold. Avoid standing near to air-conditioning in summer or winter as this will dry your eyes further and cause more discomfort. The way to prevent dry eyes at times when we have to use these devices is to turn them away so they don't face you, and also use eye drops often.
The same applies to hairdryers. Before drying your hair, moisten your eyes with drops. Do the same before going to polluted areas or exposing eyes to cigarette smoke. Of course, try to stay away from them as much as you can too.
Wear sunglasses daily to protect your eyes from air and the heat, as these can also dry them. When you go swimming, always wear goggles to prevent the chlorine from coming into contact with your eyes as this chemical will only dry them out further.
These recommendations will help you to prevent dry eyes, improve your quality of life and significantly reduce discomfort.
This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.
If you want to read similar articles to How to Prevent Dry Eyes, we recommend you visit our Diseases & secondary effects category.
