5 Tips for Managing Dry Eyes from Environmental Triggers
Share
Dry eyes are a common problem affecting millions of people worldwide. Environmental factors like digital screens, dry air, wind, and airline travel can worsen dry eye symptoms like stinging, burning, blurred vision, and eye fatigue. By making a few simple changes to your daily habits and surroundings, you can find relief.
Blink Frequently, Especially When Using Screens
Staring at digital screens for too long without blinking can worsen dry eyes. [Alt text: Woman blinking while looking at laptop screen.] Why? Blinking spreads a protective tear film over eyes. Infrequent blinking causes faster tear evaporation, leaving eyes prone to dryness and discomfort. Make a conscious effort to blink frequently when looking at phones, laptops, tablets, televisions, e-readers, and other screens.
Aim to blink 10-15 times per minute. Setting phone or computer reminders can help train this habit until blinking more becomes second nature. Purposefully and fully closing eyes for a few seconds counts too. Follow the 20-20-20 rule - every 20 minutes, look away about 20 feet in front of you for 20 seconds while blinking. This gives eyes a re-hydrating break.
Limit Exposure to Dry, Windy Conditions Outdoors
Environmental factors like low humidity, air conditioning, and windy conditions can rob moisture from eyes over time
by accelerating tear evaporation. This is especially true in arid climates. To help with managing dry eyes outdoors:
* Wear wraparound sunglasses or goggles when outside in windy weather
* Use preservative-free eye drops just before lengthy outdoor excursions
* Slow down when walking or exercising into a strong headwind
* Be mindful of dry eyes if flying a kite on gusty days
Taking a few small precautions goes a long way towards keeping eyes comfortably moisturized.
Blink More Frequently When Looking at Screens to Spread Tears
As discussed in Tip #1, staring at screens for extended periods can mean you blink significantly less. This causes faster tear film evaporation. By remembering to blink frequently when looking at your phone, computer, e-reader, or TV, you spread fresh tears over your eyes. This keeps them better lubricated and more comfortable.
Setting timers, apps like EyeLeo, or browser extensions like Care Zone can remind you to blink more when engrossed i
n reading or work. Purposefully closing eyes for 3-5 seconds every few minutes helps too. Just making the effort to blink 10 to 15 times per minute prevents eyes from drying out. Developing this blinking habit takes conscious effort at first but prevents irritation.
Take Regular Breaks from Screens
In addition to blinking often when using digital devices, routinely taking short breaks can give eyes relief. Follow the 20-20-20 rule - every 20 minutes, shift your eyes to look at something about 20 feet away, for 20 seconds or longer while blinking. This simple practice reduces eyestrain, replenishes moisture, and renews tear film.
Also aim to fully step away from screens for a few minutes each hour. Stretch your legs, hydrate, do eye yoga exercises, use re-wetting drops, or close your eyes and relax. Setting phone alerts helps remember to take regular eye-resting breaks until it becomes routine. These habits allow your eyes to fully constrict and dilate their pupils, flex focusing muscles, and produce more tears - preventing dryness.
Maintain Healthy Indoor Humidity Levels
Indoor heating and air conditioning systems can significantly reduce air moisture levels. Dry air robs tears of their protective water content, leaving eyes under-lubricated. This worsens symptoms of irritated, dry eyes over time.
Help manage dry eyes aggravated by arid, climate-controlled rooms by:
* Using room humidifiers to keep indoor relative humidity 30-50%
* Having well-watered houseplants to increase moisture
* Opening windows periodically to allow moisture in
* Limiting forced air heating and avoiding ceiling fans
* Placing wet towels on radiators
Boosting air humidity creates a more eye-friendly indoor environment all year long. Combine increased humidity with frequent blinking, eye drops, scheduled breaks, and limited exposure to irritants like smoke. Your eyes will feel refreshed.
By adopting a few new eye health habits, managing dryness aggravated b
y environmental factors is very achievable. Try the tips in this article to keep your eyes comfortably moisturized while using screens, in windy conditions, traveling by plane, or spending time in climate-controlled buildings. Don't let environmental triggers stop you from living your life. With knowledge and preparation, irritated dry eyes can be a thing of the past!
Blink Frequently, Especially When Using Screens
Staring at digital screens for too long without blinking can worsen dry eyes. [Alt text: Woman blinking while looking at laptop screen.] Why? Blinking spreads a protective tear film over eyes. Infrequent blinking causes faster tear evaporation, leaving eyes prone to dryness and discomfort. Make a conscious effort to blink frequently when looking at phones, laptops, tablets, televisions, e-readers, and other screens.
Aim to blink 10-15 times per minute. Setting phone or computer reminders can help train this habit until blinking more becomes second nature. Purposefully and fully closing eyes for a few seconds counts too. Follow the 20-20-20 rule - every 20 minutes, look away about 20 feet in front of you for 20 seconds while blinking. This gives eyes a re-hydrating break.
Limit Exposure to Dry, Windy Conditions Outdoors
Environmental factors like low humidity, air conditioning, and windy conditions can rob moisture from eyes over time
by accelerating tear evaporation. This is especially true in arid climates. To help with managing dry eyes outdoors:
* Wear wraparound sunglasses or goggles when outside in windy weather
* Use preservative-free eye drops just before lengthy outdoor excursions
* Slow down when walking or exercising into a strong headwind
* Be mindful of dry eyes if flying a kite on gusty days
Taking a few small precautions goes a long way towards keeping eyes comfortably moisturized.
Blink More Frequently When Looking at Screens to Spread Tears
As discussed in Tip #1, staring at screens for extended periods can mean you blink significantly less. This causes faster tear film evaporation. By remembering to blink frequently when looking at your phone, computer, e-reader, or TV, you spread fresh tears over your eyes. This keeps them better lubricated and more comfortable.
Setting timers, apps like EyeLeo, or browser extensions like Care Zone can remind you to blink more when engrossed i
n reading or work. Purposefully closing eyes for 3-5 seconds every few minutes helps too. Just making the effort to blink 10 to 15 times per minute prevents eyes from drying out. Developing this blinking habit takes conscious effort at first but prevents irritation.
Take Regular Breaks from Screens
In addition to blinking often when using digital devices, routinely taking short breaks can give eyes relief. Follow the 20-20-20 rule - every 20 minutes, shift your eyes to look at something about 20 feet away, for 20 seconds or longer while blinking. This simple practice reduces eyestrain, replenishes moisture, and renews tear film.
Also aim to fully step away from screens for a few minutes each hour. Stretch your legs, hydrate, do eye yoga exercises, use re-wetting drops, or close your eyes and relax. Setting phone alerts helps remember to take regular eye-resting breaks until it becomes routine. These habits allow your eyes to fully constrict and dilate their pupils, flex focusing muscles, and produce more tears - preventing dryness.
Maintain Healthy Indoor Humidity Levels
Indoor heating and air conditioning systems can significantly reduce air moisture levels. Dry air robs tears of their protective water content, leaving eyes under-lubricated. This worsens symptoms of irritated, dry eyes over time.
Help manage dry eyes aggravated by arid, climate-controlled rooms by:
* Using room humidifiers to keep indoor relative humidity 30-50%
* Having well-watered houseplants to increase moisture
* Opening windows periodically to allow moisture in
* Limiting forced air heating and avoiding ceiling fans
* Placing wet towels on radiators
Boosting air humidity creates a more eye-friendly indoor environment all year long. Combine increased humidity with frequent blinking, eye drops, scheduled breaks, and limited exposure to irritants like smoke. Your eyes will feel refreshed.
By adopting a few new eye health habits, managing dryness aggravated b
y environmental factors is very achievable. Try the tips in this article to keep your eyes comfortably moisturized while using screens, in windy conditions, traveling by plane, or spending time in climate-controlled buildings. Don't let environmental triggers stop you from living your life. With knowledge and preparation, irritated dry eyes can be a thing of the past!