Dry eyes are a common problem, affecting nearly 30% of American adults. However, don’t let it get you down—there are plenty of ways to treat dry eyes without having to resort to expensive medication or invasive surgery!
Artificial Tears
Artificial tears are a quick and effective way to treat dry eyes. They’re also safe for most people, though you may have a reaction if you’re allergic to preservatives in the drops.
If your eyes feel scratchy or painful, use artificial tears every hour until you notice improvement. Then use them every two hours until symptoms go away completely (which could take up to three days). If using this remedy doesn’t help after two weeks, visit an eye doctor who can prescribe stronger prescription medications that might work better for your condition.
Cold Compresses
Cold compresses are one of the most common remedies for dry eyes. They’re used to reduce inflammation and relieve pain, and they can also help you get more comfortable while you wait for other treatments to kick in.
First, fill a bowl or cup with lukewarm water and then add some ice cubes until the temperature is cold but not so cold it hurts your skin (if this happens, let it melt first). Then place the compress over both eyes for one minute at a time, repeating as needed throughout the day until they feel better.
If you don’t have access to an actual bowl or cup–or just prefer something more portable–you can also use frozen vegetables like peas or corn kernels instead! These will work just as well if not better than ice cubes because they’re smaller and, therefore, easier to hold onto while keeping them pressed against each eyelid evenly for longer periods of time.
Warm Compresses
Warm compresses can help reduce inflammation and relax the muscles around your eyes. They’re also soothing, which helps reduce stress and anxiety. To perform a warm compress:
- Fill a small bowl or cup with hot water, then soak a washcloth in it until it’s warm but not too hot to touch (you shouldn’t be able to keep your finger in contact with the cloth for more than 5 seconds).
- Hold onto one end of the cloth so that you don’t burn yourself as you hold it over closed eyes for about 10 minutes at a time (or longer if needed). You’ll want to use some sort of weight on top of this if possible–a book works great!
- Make sure not to get water into your nose or mouth while doing this; if necessary, tilt your head back slightly so that any excess liquid runs down towards your chin rather than into those areas instead.
Conclusion
Use these remedies to treat dry eyes. If you’re not sure which one will work for you, try them all! The best way to find out what works is by experimenting with different treatments and seeing which ones give you relief from discomfort or pain. Remember that it can take some trial and error before finding something that works well enough for long-term use.
Call 519-941-6761 today to book an appointment with an eyecare specialist.
