According to the American Ophthalmological Society, many people suffer from dry eye syndrome. Once your eye specialist confirms it, management of dry eye symptoms will start. The treatment aims to improve your quality of life, alleviate your symptoms, and correct defects. If you want to understand how dry eye management will go, here’s what you should know.

 

Lifestyle Change

This is the easiest way to relieve dry eye symptoms. You should avoid long hours of reading, working on the computer, and watching television. These activities slow down your blink rate and increase tear evaporation. Humidifying the circulating air at home and at work can also help reduce dry eye symptoms. You should also avoid smoke, smog, hot, high-altitude, and windy environments.

 

Tear Supplements

Applying preservative-free tear supplements at least four times a day can provide short-term dry eye relief. Those with preservatives can worsen dry eye symptoms. Although artificial tears are helpful, they cannot replace the growth factors and cytokines that are present in normal tears. They do not have the anti-inflammatory properties that natural tears possess.

 

There are also autologous serum tears. These make up the fluid part of clotted blood. Autologous serum tears contain anti-inflammatories, fibronectin, growth factors, vitamin A, and cytokines. Studies show that 20 percent autologous serum can provide relief to patients with severe dry eye syndrome. Another study shows that 2 percent rebamipide can improve the signs and symptoms of this eye condition. It is an effective method for managing dry eyes.

 

Diet Change

Eating the right kinds of food can also help improve your dry eye symptoms. Oysters, tuna, salmon, halibut, and herring are rich in omega-3 fatty acids that decrease tear duct inflammation. They make your tear ducts healthier, making them produce sufficient tears. Green, leafy vegetables, such as spinach, kale, and collard greens, contain vitamin C. This vitamin is an antioxidant that fights eye damage due to aging.

 

Cashews, peanuts, and walnuts are rich in vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids as well. Vitamin E is also an antioxidant that repairs damage to your tear ducts. Flaxseeds and chia seeds are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids. They are good alternatives to fish if you are a vegetarian. Beans contain zinc, which is vital in the production of melanin that helps protect your eyes from sun damage. Drinking more water can also help by increasing your tear production.

 

Moisture-retaining Eye Wear and Punctal Plugs

Hydrophilic contact lenses can relieve your eye pain and increases periocular humidity. They can also store fluids for extended hydration in your eyes. You can also talk to your eye specialist about punctal plugs. These plugs prevent tears from draining out of your eyes.

 

Dry eye syndrome is a manageable eye condition. Make sure you talk to your ophthalmologist about the solutions you can have. At Wellesley Hills Eye Care, we do our best to help patients manage their dry eyes outside the clinic setting. Please see us at our clinic in Wellesley, Massachusetts. if you want an in-person consultation.

 

Learn more about dry eye treatment packages, contact Wellesley Hills Eye Care in Wellesley, MA at (781) 501-9120 for appointment scheduling.