Easing Dry, Itchy & Tired Eyes

March 4th, 2013 · 1 Comment · Healthy Living

images[2]Winter can mean dry eyes, spring brings allergy season with itchy and watery eyes and spending too much time staring at screens can lead to tired eyes. Common eye issues like these are an annoyance but can be alleviated easily and quickly, find out how!

“Dry” Eyes

Common complaints include burning, a scratchy sensation, and sometimes pain when blinking. Dry eyes are more common in women and may be associated with the hormonal changes occurring prior to or during menstruation and menopause.

What can you do?

  • Check your meds: Over- or behind-the-counter medications used for high blood pressure, pain or allergies often indicate dry eyes as a side effect of use. If you suspect your medications to be the culprit of your dry eyes, speak with your physician or pharmacist.
  • Eat well: People who consume omega-3 fatty acids are less likely to experience dry eyes. Vegetarians can look to flax oil or nuts while meat eaters should aim to eat a serving of (sustainable) fish at least once a week. Looking for an easier route than through diet? Consider supplements.
  • Hydration, inside and out: Drinking plenty of water, using a humidifier to keep the air moist and using lubricating eye drops (made without preservatives) will bring relief.
  • Use contacts? Speak with your eye doctor about special contacts for dry eyes or switch to wearing your glasses more often.

“Tired” Eyes

Common complaints include soreness, blurring of vision, and bloodshot eyes. Tired eyes often occur when we spend too much time staring at screens (smart phones, computer monitors, e-readers, etc.) or reading in poor light.

What can you do?

  • 20/20/20: Every 20 minutes take a break from staring at your screen and look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Doing this simple act can prevent and treat your tired eyes.
  • Minimize strain: Be sure to always read in a properly lit room and increase typeface to minimize eyestrain. If you know you’ll be working for a long period of time consider using natural tear drops before you get going; we tend to blink less when we are working close up and our eyes can become dry and lead to tired eyes.

“Itchy” Eyes

Commonly confused with scratchy and dry eyes, itchy eyes are usually due to dust mites, pet danger, pollen, or other allergies.

What can you do?

  • Resist the urge: Rubbing your eyes may bring temporary relief but will more than likely increase inflammation and cause the itch to worsen. Instead of rubbing, try applying a cool compress to your eyes whenever the urge strikes to rub.
  • Reduce exposure: If dust mites or other allergens are to blame be sure to wash bedding regularly, use a mattress and pillow cover, and vacuum frequently. Suspect your pet? Try giving your pet a bath often to cut back on the allergen.

Our eyes are the windows to our soul and vision is the primary sense connecting us with the world. Proper eye care is a key component in overall health and well-being. Want to address eye health beyond the common complaints listed above? Check out our eye health section for our favorite products and learn more about Omegas from a prior post.

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