Hydration affects all aspects of your health, including your skin and your eyes. With the hot temperatures and the low humidity in Phoenix, it can be easy to develop dry eye, but making sure you are properly hydrated is an important aspect of any eye care routine.
Eye Care and Hydrating Your Eyes
What causes dry eye, and how do I know if I have it?
Many factors may cause you to have dry eye, including an inadequate amount of tears or a poor quality of tears. If your tears are not adequately hydrating your eyes, you may notice pain, sensitivity to light, redness, or blurry vision.
Can electronics dry out my eyes?
Yes! Electronic devices are one of the main causes of dry eye. Looking at the blue light of the computer, television, or phone screen can affect your eyes, especially if you focus on these objects too long. Try the 20-20-20 rule to combat dry eye due to electronic use—for every 20 minutes you spend looking at a screen, focus on something that is 20 feet away for 20 minutes.
How can I treat dry eye?
Simple over-the-counter eye drops can resolve some mild versions of dry eye. These artificial tear solutions can supplement natural tear production and will not further irritate your eyes. In certain cases, taking an omega-3 fatty acid supplement may also help to naturally increase the production of tears and is a great aspect of any eye care routine.
What else can I do to prevent dry eye?
Try to limit the use of electronic devices, as hard as it may be. Remember to blink regularly when you do use these devices, and increase the humidity in the air at work and at home so that your eyes can become more hydrated. Make sure to drink plenty of water and wear sunglasses when you are outdoors to further prevent cases of dry eye.
Hydrating your body and your eyes are two of the most important things for your health and your eye care! To learn more about dry eye, or to schedule an eye exam at Valley Eyecare Center, call (602) 955-2700, or visit our website.
