Dry eyes are a common problem for many people, especially during winter. This is because drier air and indoor heating can make your eyes even dryer. While dry eyes aren’t serious, they can be very uncomfortable.
Dry eye is a condition that affects many people. It can cause itching, burning, and irritation and can result in blurred vision. It’s often caused by a deficiency or loss of tear production, but dryness can also be caused by things like allergies, certain medications, and other conditions. While there are many treatment options—including tear supplements, artificial tears, and prescription eye drops—there are also a few things you can do at home to treat the condition.
Symptoms of dry eyes
Dry eyes are a common condition that affects women more than men, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and is the leading cause of eye surgery in the U.S. Unfortunately, there is no cure for dry eyes. Hence, treatment generally focuses on controlling symptoms, and preventing additional damage to the eyes. Symptoms include:
-irritated or watery eyes that burn, itch, or feel gritty
-sensitivity to light
-difficulty wearing contact lenses or feeling a sensation of something in your eye.
-prickling feeling you get in your eyes when you blink and irritated areas in your eyelids.
Over-the-counter drops treatment for dry eyes
Dry eyes can be serious, so it’s important to seek medical care as soon as you notice the symptoms. Eye drops are the most common option for treating dry eyes.
Topical cyclosporine A eye drops
Topical cyclosporine A eye drops are used to treat eye infections, eye allergies, eye injuries, and eye inflammation. Topical cyclosporine A eye drops are a drug called immunosuppressive that works by slowing down or stopping your immune system from attacking your body. These eye drops are applied to the surface of the eye, where they block the activity of white blood cells called T-cells that play a role in causing inflammation in your eyes. This can lead to dry eyes.
Topical cyclosporine A (cyclosporine drops) is a prescription medication used to treat the symptoms of dry eyes, including burning, stinging, and dryness. When used correctly, the eye drops can restore moisture to your eyes as well as relieve itching and redness. The drops are also used in people between 12 and 19 years of age who have keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye syndrome).
Lifitegrast
Dry eye can be difficult to manage, and symptoms can worsen with age. The condition affects more than 20 million Americans and can be caused by a variety of factors, including aging, allergies, and certain medications. Lifittegrast (Xiidra®) is a prescription eye drop that treats dry eyes, including symptoms of dry eye disease, by replenishing the eye’s natural lubricating and protective substances.
Liotegrast (Xiidra®) is the first and only FDA-approved therapy for the treatment of dry eye disease (DED). DED is caused by decreased production of tears, and liotegrast works to restore normal tear production.
Artificial teardrops and ointments
Dry eyes are one of the most common conditions people face, affecting 22% of the population over the age of 40. But while dry eyes happen, there are ways to treat them. Artificial tear products, such as eye drops and ointments, are an excellent way to treat dry eyes.
These drops, available over the counter, contain preservatives, so make sure to read the directions. Artificial tears can often be used alone to treat mild dry eyes, but more advanced cases may require stronger eye drops or prescription medication. You can check out dry eye new treatment at Power if you’re looking for additional treatment options for dry eyes.
Home remedies for dry eyes
Dry eyes may seem like a minor annoyance, but they can actually affect you every day. If your eyes are dry, it’s painful and tiring to focus. But before you pop some eye drops, try some simple home remedies.
- Keep Your Windows Open: It may seem counter-intuitive, but having your windows open during the winter will keep your home dry. It lets in the fresh air and stops moisture from building up inside.
- Keep Your Thermostat High: Since heat dries out the air, keep your thermostat set high in winter. This keeps air from drying out.
- Wear Eye Protection: If you spend a lot of time outdoors in the winter, wear a pair of goggles or sunglasses since the snow and cold air can dry out your eyes.
- Use a humidifier: In the winter, your eyes need moisture, so that a humidifier can help. Keep one in the bedroom and another one in your office.
Wash your eyelids and use warm compresses
A simple, inexpensive way to warm your eye compresses is by wrapping them directly in a towel and placing them in the microwave for 15 seconds, or using a clean washcloth warmed in hot water, wring it out, and laying the cloth over your eyes for several minutes.