Relieving Winter Dry Eye May Be Easier Than You Think
Now you may not suffer from dry eye syndrome like one eighth of all Americans do, but chances are that when the weather is just right, like in the dead of winter when cold dry air is constantly blowing, you get dry winter eyes. Aside from being uncomfortable, having dry winter eyes can cause other issues as well, and some are quite serious.
Your eyes naturally use your tears to keep themselves lubricated and to help keep foreign matter, like dust and other particulates from scratching the surface of your cornea. So, if you’re suffering from dry winter eyes, try one of the following tips.
Drink More Water
Dehydration doesn’t only affect your throat and your perception of thirst. Dehydration impacts most, if not all of the systems of your body. Making sure to drink enough water is one way to combat winter dry eye.
Wear Sunglasses
Wearing sunglasses can help your eyes in a variety of ways. Sunglasses can help protect your eyes from dust and debris, and even the wind itself.
Keep a Clean House
Maintaining a clean living space, relatively free of dust, can make a huge difference in your experience of dry eye in the winter. Also, remember to change or clean the filters and bag on your vacuum cleaner, so you’re removing as much dust from your atmosphere as possible.
Run a Humidifier
If you live in a particularly dry climate, running a humidifier during the cold months can help keep your skin, airways, and eyes moist and comfortable.
Supplement Your Diet
While you may have a hard time finding over-the-counter supplements that are specifically marketed to address dry eye, you may find relief by using an Omega-3 supplement such as fish oil or flaxseed oil. You can get these oils through your diet, but many folks do not eat enough fish, seeds, and vegetables to get all that they need.
Over-the-Counter Remedies
These days there are many kinds of over-the-counter remedies that you can purchase to help you fight dry eye. Eye drops, like artificial tears, and other natural or homeopathic eye drops can help to keep your eyes moisturized during the dry months. Keep an eye out for products that only work to remove redness from the eyes without moisturizing, as these are to be avoided.
Pack Up and Relocate
As a last resort, you may find that relief may come with moving to a wetter climate. Coastal cities naturally benefit from greater degrees of humidity all year round.
Dry Eyes Can Be Dealt With
No matter what combination of remedies you find works the best for you, hopefully you can find some way to combat winter dry eye that is short of surgery or relocating to a wetter climate. Winter dry eye is a nuisance and can even be dangerous to the eye, but you don’t necessarily have to live with it.
[Photo via: Flickr]