Are your eyes red, itchy, or burning? It could be chronic dry eye, a common condition that develops when your eyes can’t maintain a healthy tear film.
Tears keep eyes comfortable and moist, but a lack of tears can make eyes dry and itchy all the time. Everyone experiences dry eyes now and then, but the transition from summer to fall is especially challenging for people with chronic dry eye.
Our team at Ethos Medical Group, located in Orange, California, offers comprehensive ophthalmology care, including dry eye treatment. Changing seasons and cooler, drier air can trigger dry eyes, but there are options to help you.
Make a few simple changes to limit the bothersome dry eye symptoms this fall.
1. Try artificial tears
Your eyes need tears to stay moist. Healthy eyes have a protective film of tears, but having dry eyes means this protective film isn’t working right. If you’re bothered by dry eyes in fall, consider trying over-the-counter artificial tears.
Mild dry eyes can be managed with artificial tears because these eye drops are specially formulated to moisturize eyes and relieve symptoms of discomfort. Always use over-the-counter drops as directed on product packaging and make sure to visit our team if your symptoms continue.
2. Use a humidifier in your home
Warm air tends to have more moisture, while cold air is drier. A humidifier can add moisture back into the air and help you manage dry eyes.
Putting a humidifier in your bedroom, living room, and other rooms in which you spend long periods can make the air more comfortable. More moisture in the air means your eyes are less likely to get dry, itchy, and irritated.
3. Wear safety goggles in the yard
Fall yard work, like cutting the grass or raking up fallen leaves, can irritate eyes and make your dry eye symptoms worse. If you’re bothered by outdoor allergens, wearing safety goggles while you do yard work can help manage dry eye symptoms.
Not only do goggles keep allergens and irritants away from your eyes, but they also protect eyes from the wind. Moving air makes your tears evaporate faster, which can make eyes dry out. Protect your eyes from the wind to keep dry eye from getting worse.
4. Soothe eyes with warm compresses
Sometimes, eyes get dry and irritated despite our best intentions. Applying a warm compress can soothe eyes and minimize discomfort associated with dry eyes and inflammation.
To make a warm compress, wet a clean washcloth with warm (not hot) water. Place the cloth over your eyes and rest for five minutes. The warmth stimulates tear production and helps wash away allergens or other debris that might be making your eyes more uncomfortable.
5. Visit the ophthalmologist for dry eye care
If your eyes are uncomfortable, schedule an appointment at Ethos Medical Group. Our doctors specialize in diagnosing and treating chronic dry eye. We offer comprehensive exams to identify the cause of your eye issues and we can recommend a range of treatment options.
Along with the lifestyle adjustments we discuss here, treatments can include prescription eye drops, ointment, or surgery to modify your tear ducts and improve the amount of tears in your eyes.
Don’t ignore uncomfortable, dry eyes this fall — let us help you find relief. The right treatment for your eyes can help them remain comfortable all year round. Give Ethos Medical Group a call at 714-395-5043 or book your first appointment online.