Sixteen million. That’s how many Americans have dry eye disease (read: when tears don’t produce enough lubrication for the eyes).
“People may experience dry eyes in air-conditioned environments or after looking at a computer screen for a few hours,” says Dr. Shahed Ghoghawala, an ophthalmologist at SSM Health Davis Duehr Dean Eye Care.
While anyone can have a problem with dry eyes, it’s found predominantly in people 50+ as tear production decreases with age. For younger folks, it can happen after having Lasik surgery, or if you use certain oral contraceptives.
Symptoms of dry eyes
- A burning or scratchy feeling in your eyes
- Eye redness
- Watery eyes (the body’s response to the irritation of dry eyes)
- Mucus in or around your eyes
- Light sensitivity
- Feeling like you have something in your eyes
- Difficulty wearing contact lenses
- Difficulty driving at night
- Blurry vision
- Eye fatigue
On the lookout for relief? The experts at SSM Health are here with six tear-ific tips to beat dry eyes.
Six ways to manage dry eyes
- Add over-the-counter artificial tear drops (like Refresh, Systane, or TheraTears) to your routine
- Place warm compresses on the eyes to help your glands produce more oil to cover the eye
- Consider prescription anti-inflammatory drops
- Reduce screen time
- Talk to your primary care provider to rule out other reasons for dry eye
- Schedule an appointment with an optometrist to discuss other treatment options as needed
