All contact lens wearers have experienced dry eyes at some point. The irritation, burning, and squinting make getting through the day excruciating. One of the steps to take is to look at the situations you find yourself in when this occurs, as dry eyes can often be prevented when the right steps are taken. Here are 7 helpful tips to avoid dry eyes:
~Set your computer screen below eye level: When your screen is above your eye level, you tend to open your eyes wider to see the screen better. When your screen is lower you relax your eyes, which helps reduce dehydration from tears in your eyes.
~ Be aware of your surroundings: Whether you live in the mountains, in the desert, or are catching the next flight home, the air in these and many other areas can be very dry. Try to close your eyes more often to decrease the amount of moisture loss in your eyes. You can also carry an extra bottle of solution to re-wet your lenses if they are drying out.
~Try to wear disposable wet contact lenses: These lenses contain more water content than traditional lenses, so they provide longer-lasting comfort throughout the day, and because they’re disposable, they’re maintenance-free. Just throw away the dried lenses and put in a new pair. Wet contact lenses are also available for astigmatic and multifocal wearers.
~Think about wearing sunglasses: Consider wearing sunglasses, even when you wouldn’t normally, if you find that your eyes are getting dry more often than you’d like. Blocking out the scorching rays of the sun and windy gusts will go a long way in keeping your eyes moist throughout the day.
~Avoid smoke or tuxedo: Smoking is not only bad for your lungs, it is also extremely bad for your eyes. Smoke can make contact lenses feel uncomfortable on your eyes, making them red, itchy, and irritated. This is because the smoke draws moisture from the surrounding air, thus drying out your contact lenses and your eyes at the same time. Smoking can also cause harmful long-term consequences for the eyes, such as glaucoma, cataracts, and even blindness.
~ Avoid blowing air directly into your eyes: Fans, air conditioners, car heaters and hair dryers. Each of these, among many others, can dry out your lenses and eyes in minutes, making the rest of the day really unpleasant.
~Use eye drops regularly: If you have persistent dry eyes, be sure to use moisturizing drops even when it’s not dry. This will keep you ahead of the game and prevent unnecessary hassle later on. Consider using moisturizing drops before removing your lenses. This will ensure that the lenses are well hydrated and therefore easier and safer to remove.
Proper maintenance of eye care is essential for healthy vision. Although the above are excellent suggestions on how to prevent dry eyes, be sure to consult your eye doctor for proper instructions and the correct fitting of glasses and contact lenses.
