8 Simple Ways to Cope With Dry Eye Syndrome

Over-the-counter treatments and prescription medications can help, and self-care habits can make a difference, too.

Proceed with caution with home remedies, though. Esen K. Akpek, MD, a professor of ophthalmology and rheumatology at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, advises consulting your doctor before you try any home remedies for dry eye.

Check with your healthcare provider to make sure you’re doing this safely. “There are patients who apply heat several times a day, because it makes their eyes feel better. They may think the more, the better. But too much heat can negatively impact the biomechanics of the cornea and cause vision issues,” says Dr. Akpek. It can also damage sensitive skin around the eyes if overused.

Warm Compress

Apply a warm compress or heat mask to the eyes for 10 minutes.

Eyelid Massage

• Close your eyes.
• Massage along the length of your eyelids toward your ear, massaging the upper lid down and the lower lid up.
• Continue for 30 seconds and repeat 5 to 10 times.

Eyelid Cleaning

• Clean the edges of your eyelids with eyelid-cleaning wipes or cotton wool soaked in warm water.

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• Use a gentle side-to-side motion to remove any debris from the eyelid edges and eyelashes, starting by your nose and moving outward.

Hydration and a varied diet are crucial for all aspects of your well-being, and eye health is no exception. Water makes up a significant portion of tears along with the oils that prevent dry eye.

Your eyes need vitamins and other nutrients to stay healthy. Foods that provide these nutrients can help keep your eyes healthy and may help you manage or prevent dry eye.

• Omega-3 fatty acids, present in oily fish like salmon
• Vitamin A, found in beef liver, sweet potato, carrots, and other foods

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• Vitamin C, present in bell peppers, citrus fruits, broccoli, and other plant foods

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• Curcumin, found in turmeric
• Vitamin E, found in wheat germ, nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils

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To minimize these factors, try the following tips.

• Use a humidifier when levels of moisture in the air drop below 25 percent.

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• Stay away from air drafts and smoky atmospheres.
• Limit your use of a hair dryer.
• Direct your car heater away from your face.
• Wear wraparound glasses or sunglasses to protect your eyes when you’re outside.
• When using a computer screen, take regular breaks, adjust screen brightness, blink frequently, and follow the 20/20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

• Artificial tears: These are drops you can put in your eyes as often as you need. Use these if you are reading, using a screen, or doing other vision-intensive activities.

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• Gel drops: These offer longer-lasting relief but are more viscous than drops, so they can cause temporary visual blurriness. They may be better to use when you're relaxing, exercising, or sleeping.
• Ointments: These are the thickest lubricants and can stop your eyes from drying out while you sleep.

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Various drugs can cause dry eye, according to John Hovanesian, MD, an ophthalmologist at Harvard Eye Associates in Laguna Hills, California.

These medications include:

• Antihistamines
• Beta-blockers
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil)
• Antacids and anti-ulcer drugs
• Diuretics

If you’re using medications for other conditions, ask your doctor to review your prescription. They may be able to change your drugs or your dosage.

If dry eye is affecting your daily life, or if your symptoms are worsening despite using home remedies and over-the-counter treatments, you may need to see a doctor.

• Stinging, burning, scratchiness, or redness in your eye
• Feeling like there’s something in your eye
• Stringy mucus
• Sensitivity to light
• Difficulty wearing contact lenses
• Problems with nighttime driving
• Watery eyes
• Blurred vision
• Eye fatigue

• Prescription eye drops, such as cyclosporine (Restasis) or lifitegrast (Xiidra)
• Punctal plugs, which slow the rate at which tears drain from your eyes
• Eyelid massage with medical-grade devices and other treatments for professional use

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• Surgery, in some cases

Dry eye can affect your quality of life. It can impact your mental health and leave you feeling isolated. Connecting with others may help you manage or live better with dry eye.

You might:

• Go to the Dry Eye Foundation webpage to find resources such as Zoom groups, social media groups, forums, and YouTube videos and stories.
• Contact the Dry Eye Foundation’s helpline directly at 800-484-0244 or book a call with them online for a longer chat.
• Ask your doctor or ophthalmologist about local support groups.

The Takeaway

• Dry eye is a chronic condition that happens when your eyes aren’t properly lubricated, leading to irritation and other issues.
• Self-care practices such as applying a warm compress, using a humidifier, and applying artificial tears may relieve symptoms.
• Talk with your healthcare provider if your symptoms are becoming increasingly difficult to tolerate.