- Avoid red-eye rebound. Rely on over-the-counter products, like artificial tears or ointment, every four to six hours to lubricate your eyes and ease dryness. But shun drops that claim to relieve redness. They cause a rebound effect that leads to increased redness and irritation over time.
- Consider the environment. Don’t point fans or air-conditioning vents toward your face while driving or sleeping. Angle the gusts toward your body instead to preserve natural tears.
- Monitor your computer use. Staring at the screen reduces blinking and revs up tear evaporation. Think 20/20/20: take a 20-second break every 20 minutes and focus on something 20 feet away.
- Try oil and heat. Consuming Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish or flax-seed oil, helps some patients improve their tear film and reduce evaporation. Hot compresses can also help lubricate the eyes.
- See a professional. If these simple solutions don’t bring relief, see your eye doctor. He or she can evaluate whether you’d benefit from prescription medications or other procedures.
Tags: computer use, contacts, Dr. John Bartlett, dry eyes, News & Insights, omega-3 fatty acids, ophthalmology, Ophthalmology, red-eye, red-eye rebound, Stein Eye Institute at UCLA
