How to prevent dry eyes in cold weather?

Cold weather, the eyeball surface of the eye will be affected quite a lot due to exposure to cold and dry air. At this time, the amount of water secreted from the eyes is reduced, so it cannot provide enough moisture and makes the eye dry faster. Furthermore, people tend to drink less water when it's cold, so dry eyes in cold weather are more common. So what to do to prevent dry eyes?

Cold weather will reduce the humidity in the air compared to warm weather. Reduced humidity causes tears to evaporate faster. Besides, when it's cold, the indoor air will be dry and even hot due to the habit of using the air conditioner in warm mode. This type of air and weather will make the eyes dry and tired, easily leading to eye pain, blurred vision or a feeling of tightness and discomfort.
These symptoms can cause the eyes to produce more water than usual, but do not stick around long enough to provide long-term moisture to the eyes.
There are many ways to protect and care for your eyes in cold weather such as using eye drops, changing your lifestyle, living habits or other treatments... In many severe cases, people Please see an ophthalmologist for proper appointment and treatment. Here are some tips to help you prevent and protect your eyes in cold weather.

2.1.Use of artificial tears Over-the-counter (OTC) eye drops are commonly and frequently used for dry eyes. If symptoms are mild, this "artificial tear" may be the only treatment you need. However, there are many types of eye drops on the market. Therefore, you can consult with your doctor to find the right medication for your eye condition.
Many eye drops now contain preservatives. They help prevent germs from growing inside the vial, but can inadvertently have an impact on your eyes. Consider switching to preservative-free drops, if you need to use them regularly throughout the day to prevent dry eyes. For example, there are some eye drops that are only used the day after opening the vial.
You can also use artificial tears in gel or ointment form. However, they can affect vision a bit, so it's best to use them before bed.
2.2.Change your habits Blink more : This helps give your eyes a new layer of defense. When focusing on work, the eyes have to look at the computer screen for a long time, causing the eyes to be overloaded. Take a 5 minute break every hour you work. Or look 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. This is called the 20/20/20 rule. This measure is very useful for people who have to work with electronic devices all day such as office workers, IT technicians, etc. Change your eyeglasses. Try glasses with flexible frames to help relieve eye discomfort from rubbing and wearing glasses every day. Cover your eyes when outdoors. Wear glasses to prevent your eyes from being exposed to wind and dust while on the road. Avoid letting hot wind blow directly on your face. Switch the vents in the car vents or heaters, air conditioners to avoid blowing air directly into the eyes, making them easy to dry. Check the medications you are taking. Some medications have ingredients that can cause dry eyes as a side effect. Examples include: antihistamines and decongestants, antidepressants, birth control pills, and blood pressure medications. Therefore, tell your doctor what medicines you are taking, including vitamins or nutritional supplements...for timely examination and treatment. Add more omega-3 fatty acids. These are the healthy fats found in fatty fish like salmon and tuna. Many studies show that these fats can reduce inflammation in your eyes or eyelids. They can help the eye's tear glands make an oily fluid that helps prevent dry eyes. You can also supplement omega-3 through your daily diet, but do not arbitrarily add too much. Therefore, consult your doctor for advice on the right regimen and dosage for your health condition and eyes. Drink more water. This is good advice for anyone. When your body is dehydrated, your eyes will be dry just like your skin. Therefore, you need to drink enough 2 liters of water / day so that the body is not dehydrated and the eyes are not dry. Be careful while moving. If you plan to travel long and long distances such as traveling or on business by plane, consult your doctor before going for advice on appropriate measures to help protect your eyes in the best possible time. different details.

Use a humidifier: Humidifiers are the most commonly used measure, they will add moisture directly to the indoor air. A humidifier can be of great help in reducing dry eyes when the air is dry or cold. You can buy a small, portable humidifier in your bedroom. A central humidifier can also humidify your entire home. However, please pay attention to the setting mode so that the wind from the machine does not blow directly to the face and eyes. Warm compresses: Warm your eyes for about 5 to 10 minutes with a warm washcloth. This can help boost the blood supply to your meibomian glands. These are small glands along the rim of your eyelids. They make the mucus in tears that are an important part of the eye's moisture-retaining layer. Or you can rub your palms together to warm up and then put them on your eyes, doing so several times a day also helps your eyes rest and regulate properly. Massage and clean your eyelids: This is another way to help the oil in the glands of the eyes to circulate better. Routine eye exams: Dry eyes can gradually affect your vision. Go to an eye doctor if you notice any unusual signs in your eyes for timely advice and treatment.

Other interventional treatments in severe cases, including:
Prescription eye drops Silicone or compostable tear duct plugs Surgery Dry eye can severely impair vision. Therefore, medical examination and application of measures to improve dry eyes are very important. Hopefully the information in the above article will help you better understand this situation and take appropriate measures to improve.
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Reference source: webmd.com