Dry Eyes (Dry Eye Syndrome)

Dry eyes... what a bother... Picture it, there you are blinking and winking trying to relieve the dryness in your eyes. Unbeknown to you someone on the other side of the room is checking you out and picking up all the wrong signals and messages from your "eye re-wetting efforts." "No, no, no," you tell this brave soul who has now ventured over to you, "I wasn't winking at you... my eyes are dry!" What a self-esteem buster for the person.

Dry eye syndrome occurs when the eyes don't have enough lubrication and moisture in them. From a small and minor irritation (feeling like "something" is in your eyes) to outright inflammation of the tissues of the eyes, oddly enough, sometimes this drying of the eyes can result in watery eyes because the dryness can overstimulate the eyes to produce tears. Here are some steps you can take to prevent or keep dry eye syndrome under control:

• Avoid direct exposure of the eyes to air from car heaters and fans, hair dryers and wind.
• On particularly windy days, be sure to wear protective sunglasses, and when swimming always wear water-tight goggles.
• Humidify the air in your home or at least the parts of your home that you spend the most time in
• Avoid tobacco smoke
• Sleep some more... it's true, a lack of sleep can make your eyes not just dry but red as well.
• Go over the medications you are taking with your pharmacist, some commonly used ones can dry out your eyes e.g. antihistamines, blood pressure lowering medicines, sleeping medicines and anti-depressants.
• A banana a day keeps the dryness away. Put simply, the potassium in bananas balances out the sodium in your body and sodium affects the amount fluids (tears included) in your body.
• Take frequent computer breaks and be intentional about blinking so as to re-wet your eyes; when working at a computer for long periods of time one tends to blink less frequently, thus resulting in drying of the eyes.

...and here's an interesting tip - omega-3 fatty acids are an essential part of keeping your eyes well-lubricated. Flaxseed oil is high in omega-3's so if you don't want to pop those omega-3 pills then mix a tablespoon of flaxseed oil in a glass of juice or a bowl of cereal and enjoy!

Other ways to treat dry eye syndrome at home include:

• Cool soaks: soak a face towel or small wash cloth in cool water and place it over your eyes (closed eyes by the way) for about three to five minutes. This will help to get rid of that feeling of sand or grit in your eyes.
• Put water right back in your eyes: that's right, just splash some water in your eyes for quick re-lubrication




Drugs Used To Relieve Eye Dryness

• Artificial Tears (various brands), preservative-free preparations are best
• Cyclosporine (Restasis)












Nature cures, but the doctor
sends the bill.




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July 8, 2009




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