Dry eyes can be uncomfortable and interfere with our vision. Your eyes can feel dry due to a number of reasons, it can be due to environmental factors or the dysfunction of your tear film. If you wear contact lenses, you are more likely to experience dryness because contact lenses limit the amount of oxygen that can reach the cornea. Read on to learn more about what dry eye is, the symptoms that can develop with this condition and the treatment options.
What are the symptoms of dry eye?
Alastair Lockwood, Eye Health Advisor, Ophthalmologist and Eye Surgeon, describes dry eye as “…a common eye condition that occurs when the eyes do not make enough tears (keratoconjunctivitis sicca), or the tears dry too quickly (evaporative tear loss), depriving the eyes of essential moisture and hydration.”
Those with dry eyes may experience one or more of the following symptoms. Your eyes may feel:
- Sore/irritated
- Blurry
- Itchy
- Tired/heavy
- Gritty
- Red
- Sensitive to light
- Watery
How can I make my eyes feel less dry?
Wearing contact lenses can make eyes feel drier than glasses, so it’s important to recognise the symptoms. Although dry eyes can feel uncomfortable, inconvenient, and inevitable, there are some things you can do to make your eyes feel more relieved.
Limit your time on digital devices
Too much screen time can make eyes feel strained, tired and dry. Looking at screens has been shown to reduce the rate at which we blink, as blinking is essential for keeping eyes moist and healthy. When looking at digital screens, try to make a conscious effort to blink more often.
If your job involves a lot of screen time, try to take regular breaks when you are looking away from the screen. Practising the 20-20-20 rule is a great place to start. Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet into the distance for at least 20 seconds. You can set a timer on your phone to remind yourself to take a little break every 20 minutes; your eyes will thank you.
Avoid smoky environments
Areas with heavy smoke or fumes can irritate and dry out your eyes. Stay away from bonfires, smoking areas and anywhere else where smoke has accumulated.
Avoid central heating
If you spend a lot of time in warm, centrally heated environments, it can make your eyes feel dehydrated and irritated. Try turning the temperature down by a few degrees and taking time outdoors when you can.
Drink enough water
The human body is made up of 70% water, so it’s important to ensure you always have adequate hydration levels. 6-8 glasses of water a day is generally what is recommended. Keeping hydrated is good for your overall health, but it will also contribute towards keeping your eyes hydrated too.
Take a break from contact lenses
If your eyes feel very uncomfortable, take a break from contact lenses and switch to wearing glasses for a while. If your symptoms persist even with all of the above remedies, call your optician to see if they can help you further.
Use rewetting drops
If you have sensitive eyes, use a preservative-free brand of eye drops. Rewetting drops are excellent for reintroducing moisture to the eyes. Rewetting drops are specifically designed to be used with contact lenses throughout the day to keep eyes comfortable and hydrated.
Eat a varied diet
Eating a diet that includes 2 portions of oily fish a week helps with the eye health. Oily fish such as salmon, herring and mackerel can help to increase the oil film that covers the cornea, therefore helping eyes to feel more moisturised. Eating a varied and colourful diet is great for your overall health too, lots of the things that benefit your health are also great for eye health.
Can it be harmful to have dry eyes?
When eyes are dry, they are more likely to develop a scratch, abrasion, or an eye infection. Besides the discomfort of this condition, dry eyes should be investigated if none of the remedies in this article are reliving your eyes. Always contact your optician if you are concerned about your dry eyes.
What are the best contact lenses for dry eyes?
If your eyes are prone to dryness, you should take some consideration for what brand of contact lenses to use. It’s understandable how some might think that a contact lens with a higher water content might be more hydrating, but the higher the water content, the faster the water evaporates away from the eye during the day, which can then lead to dryness. Some lenses will be more suitable than others, but the right lens for you will depend on many factors. Read about the best contact lenses for dry eyes for more information.