While there is no cure for dry eyes, treatment can help control symptoms. There are several different treatments available, and the one you choose depends on a variety of factors.
Over-the-counter (OTC) eyedrops, called artificial tears, are the most common form of treatment. They’re available in preservative-based or non-preservative drops.
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1. Stop Smoking
If you are trying to permanently cure chronic dry eyes, then the first step is to stop smoking. Smoking is a major cause of many health problems including cancer, heart disease, and lung diseases, and it is also a contributing factor to dry eye symptoms.
Moreover, smoking can worsen your dry eye symptoms by accelerating the evaporation of your tears. This can make your eye red, irritated, and itchy, as well as make your vision hazy or foggy.
So, the best way to stop smoking is to start using a nicotine replacement product or medication. These products are available over the counter or with a doctor’s prescription, including patches, lozenges, and gum.
You can also try hypnosis or acupuncture to help with the process of quitting. These techniques can be very effective for some people, but they may not work for you.
Another way to permanently cure chronic dry eyes is by changing your lifestyle and environment. You can reduce the risk of dry eyes by increasing your fluid intake and drinking more water, avoiding alcohol, limiting your time in a dry environment, and getting a humidifier to keep the air around you hydrated.
In addition, you can adjust your position while watching TV or reading, such as lowering your head or putting your computer screen lower than eye level. Besides, if you use contact lenses, then try to wear them less often and change your lens frequently to avoid bacterial buildup on them.
You can also consult a specialist about the cause of your dry eyes and find the right treatment. In some cases, a doctor might prescribe medications such as steroid drops or silicone plugs to help preserve your tears. These can be helpful for patients with an autoimmune condition or a chronic infection that causes dry eyes.
2. Get a Humidifier
Dry eye is a chronic condition that affects many people. It can cause a variety of symptoms, including itching and grittiness around the eyes, redness, and even blurry vision.
If you are looking for a way to permanently cure your chronic dry eyes, one option is to get a humidifier. Humidifiers are a great addition to your home or office and can help reduce symptoms of dry eye disease while increasing comfort.
The humidity level in your surroundings should be between 40-60% to keep your eyes at their most comfortable. Unfortunately, most homes and work environments don’t achieve that level, which can contribute to dry eye symptoms.
In addition, a humidifier can also provide benefits for your nose and upper airway. It can alleviate nasal congestion, sore throats, and other respiratory problems that come with dry air.
A humidifier can also be a useful tool to relieve discomfort in the winter months when dry air is more common due to cold weather. It is recommended to have a humidifier in the room you spend the most time in, such as your bedroom or workplace.
You should consult with your doctor to determine the best way to use a humidifier for your needs. They will be able to advise you on the best type of humidifier for your situation and the best times to use it.
Using a humidifier on its own is not an effective way to permanently cure your dry eyes. However, it can be used in conjunction with other treatments to prevent dry eye symptoms from worsening. For the most tailored approach to your individual dry eye symptoms, book an appointment with Foresee Eyecare and see how we can provide various at-home and in-office remedies.
3. Change Your Diet
A healthy diet is an important part of ensuring your eyes are in good health. Eating a variety of foods rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients can help keep your vision clear, strengthen your immune system, and ease your dry eye symptoms.
Many of the essential nutrients your eyes need are found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Look for these in your grocery store and add them to your meals to help improve your eyes’ health.
Vitamin A is another essential nutrient that you should try to get from your diet. This vitamin can help stimulate tear production and reduce inflammation, which may ease your dry eye symptoms.
Getting enough Vitamin D is also important for preventing and treating dry eyes. If you have a deficiency, talk to your doctor about adding more sources of this nutrient to your diet, such as fortified orange juice or vitamin D supplements.
Omega-3 fatty acids are also beneficial for dry eye symptoms. The omega-3 fats in fish, nuts, and some seeds can help reduce inflammation that may cause dry eye symptoms.
Some researchers believe that omega-3 fatty acids increase tear production and may ease the itching, irritation and redness of dry eyes. They also help oil glands in your eyes produce a thicker layer of tears that helps to prevent them from drying up too quickly.
Changing your diet to include these foods, along with the other lifestyle changes mentioned above, may permanently cure your chronic dry eyes. Remember, though, that diet is only a part of your treatment plan; other treatments should still be used to ensure you are completely cured of your dry eye problems.
4. Get Regular Eye Exams
Getting regular eye exams is one of the best ways to permanently cure chronic dry eyes. This is because your eye doctor can diagnose and treat a range of health problems, including heart disease, glaucoma, and diabetes.
Some of the tests your doctor can do during an exam include testing for diseases like diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma, as well as examining the lens, retina, and optic nerve to detect conditions that may not show any symptoms but can lead to vision loss if left untreated. Additionally, many ophthalmologists perform tests to check for clogged arteries, which can cause strokes if they get to the brain.
If you’re suffering from dry eye, you should make an appointment with your eye care specialist as soon as possible to get the treatment that will work for you. Your ophthalmologist or optometrist can help you create a personalized plan of treatment that will alleviate your symptoms and prevent them from returning in the future.
Most eye care experts recommend adults schedule a comprehensive eye exam at least once every two years, and children should have one between the ages of three and five, and another each year from ages 7 to 17. These annual exams also give your doctor a chance to check for serious conditions that can be detected early, such as high blood pressure or a buildup of plaque in the carotid arteries, which supply blood to the brain.
Your eye doctor can also do things like evaluate your Meibomian glands (the oil-producing glands located under the lower eyelids) to see if they’re producing enough tears to keep your eyes moist and comfortable. These tests can be performed at an office or in a clinic, and they’re quick and easy to do.
5. Get the Right Treatment
Getting the right treatment for dry eye can help you permanently cure this condition. A doctor can prescribe prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) lubricating drops, like Restasis or Xiidra, which can help hydrate your eyes and reduce symptoms.
A doctor may also recommend medications to boost tear production. These include cyclosporine (Restasis, Cequa) or lifitegrast (Xiidra), which can increase the number of tears your eyes produce.
Punctal plugs, which are small silicone or gel-like devices that are placed in the openings of your tear ducts, can prevent tear evaporation and keep them in your eyes longer. Surgical procedures can also be used to tighten the lower eyelids and reduce tear loss.
Other non-prescription options for dry eye can include acupuncture and dietary supplements, such as omega-3 fatty acids or vitamin A. These may reduce inflammatory symptoms and improve the health of your meibomian glands, which produce oil in your tear film.
Another non-prescription option is the Lacrisert device, which consists of a slow-releasing lubricant that is placed under the lower eyelid and applied once daily. This device has been proven to relieve dry eye symptoms, however, it is usually only prescribed for patients with severe dry eye disease.
Using a humidifier in your home can also be a great way to make your eyes more comfortable. If you have a dry climate or live in a colder climate during winter, using a humidifier can help to balance the air inside your home.
Getting the right treatment for dry eye can be crucial for your overall health and happiness. By making some simple changes to your lifestyle and taking a few preventive steps, you can greatly reduce your risk of developing this condition.
