5 Ways To Get Dry Eye Relief

If your eyes don't receive enough lubrication from natural tears, you may experience symptoms of dry eye. These often include blurring, stinging, redness, or eye discharge. Dry eye can cause discomfort and affect your vision. Here are some potential solutions from our experts at Eyecare Professionals in Washburn, Hazen, and Mandan, ND.

Effective Treatments and Techniques

1. Try adjusting your daily habits. Reduce activities that promote dryness, such as smoking tobacco products, looking at screens on electronic devices, eating very salty foods, or spending time in the sun. Increasing your intake of water and omega-3 fatty acids may also help. If the indoor air is excessively dry, try running a humidifier or drying your wet laundry on racks.

2. When these changes aren't enough, talk to an optometrist near you. An eye doctor might prescribe medications to help lubricate your eyes or counteract inflammation that contributes to this problem. The medicines come in multiple forms, including pills, nasal sprays, eye drops, and inserts that dissolve in your eyes.

3. If you normally use regular contact lenses or eyeglasses, you could try wearing scleral contact lenses instead. Rather than adding more lubrication, they help keep your eyes as moist as possible by preserving natural moisture. A local eye doctor can determine if this option is suitable for you after completing an eye exam.

4. Artificial tears could provide relief by lubricating your eyes. You may need to apply them daily to prevent symptoms from reappearing. An eye-lubricating ointment might also help. It's often more effective but could temporarily affect your eyesight, so apply it when you're getting ready to sleep.

5. An optometrist in Mandan or Hazen can block your tear ducts using tiny plugs. This promotes eye lubrication by preventing tears from draining too rapidly. The removable plugs have several different names, such as occluders and lacrimal plugs. It's also possible to undergo an operation that permanently blocks the ducts.

Visit a Trusted Eye Doctor

If dry eye symptoms persist, turn to an optometrist near you for assistance. Eyecare Professionals offers multiple solutions, including prescriptions, special contact lenses, and lacrimal plugs. Our friendly, knowledgeable experts can perform an eye exam and help you choose the best option. We have convenient offices in Mandan, Hazen, and Washburn, ND. For lasting, effective dry eye relief, call 701-663-2020 today.