What is dry eyes?

Symptoms of dry eyes include:

• Feeling like there is something in the eye.
• Tearing or burning (or both).
• Redness.

Symptoms may get worse at the end of the day and in drafty, dry, smoky, or dusty environments.

Dry eye may also cause a type of keratitis (inflammation of the cornea). Changes in the type of contact lens and the way the lens sits on the eye may help correct this problem.

Dry eye symptoms can be especially bad in people who wear soft contact lenses. Soft lenses absorb water from the eye surface and make the eye dry. Dryness may lead to patchy loss of cells in the cornea. Trying a different type of lens may help the problem.

• Take breaks often when you read, watch TV, or use a computer. Close your eyes. Do not rub your eyes. Artificial tears may help you when you do these activities. You can buy these without a prescription.
• Avoid smoke and other things that irritate the eyes.
• Wear sunglasses that wrap around the sides of the head. These can protect the eyes from sun, wind, dust, and dirt.
• Use a vaporizer or humidifier to add moisture to your bedroom. Follow the directions for cleaning the machine.
• Do not use fans while you sleep.
• If you usually wear contact lenses, use rewetting drops or wear your glasses until your eyes feel better.
• Be safe with medicines. Take your medicine exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think you are having a problem with your medicine.
• Try using artificial tears at least 4 times a day.
• If you need drops more than 4 times a day, use artificial tears without preservatives. They may irritate the eyes less.
• Use a lubricating eye ointment or eye gel at bedtime. These are thicker and last longer, so you may have less burning, dryness, and itching when you wake up. Be aware that they may blur your vision for a short time.
• To put in eyedrops or ointment:
  • Tilt your head back, and pull the lower eyelid down with one finger.
  • Drop or squirt the medicine inside the lower lid.
  • Close your eye for 30 to 60 seconds to let the drops or ointment move around.
  • Do not touch the ointment or dropper tip to your eyelashes or any other surface.
• Put a warm, moist cloth on your eyelids every morning for about 5 minutes. Then massage your eyelids lightly. This helps increase the natural wetness of your eyes.