Dry eyes might not be a terribly debilitating condition on their own, but with cold season in full swing, they can lead to more severe problems. People with dry eyes tend to rub them a lot, for one thing, which is unhygienic and encourages eye infections.
It’s best to do everything you can to keep your eyes well-hydrated from the outset, but it’s especially important when you have a cold. Here are a few tips…
Keep Your Eyes Moist And Happy This Cold Season
1 – Approved Eye Drops
There are few better ways to combat dry eyes than with simple eye drops, available from virtually any pharmacy or convenience store. However, only use fluids specifically designed to be put in your eyes – anything else may carry contaminants that do more harm than good.
2 – Air Humidifiers
During the Fall and Winter, a portable air humidifier will do a lot to keep some moisture in the air within your house, which in turn helps keep your eyes well-lubricated. They’ll dry out more quickly in places with extremely low humidity. (This is also true for doctor’s offices, airplanes, and other areas relying on recirculated air.)
3 – Lower Your Computer \ TV Screen
Here’s one you may not have known: When your screen is above eye level, you open your eyes wider to see it. This, naturally, leads to eyes drying out more quickly. Keep the screen below eye level, and your eyelids will lower over the top part of your eye.
4 – Take Breaks From Eye-Intensive Activities
Reading, video games, close-up handiwork, and any other activity that requires constant sight work will tend to dry out eyes quickly. Taking a break every hour or so will keep your eyes dry, especially if you take a couple minutes to close them so they can re-lubricate.
5 – Stop Smoking And/Or Avoid Smokers
Cigarette smoke is terrible for the eyes, as well as most every other part of the body. Keep your eyes away from smoke at all times.
Remember: You only get one set of eyes. Keep them protected to preserve your sight!
