Other Dry Eye Considerations
Your eyes could experience dryness one day and be fine the next. Below, you’ll discover alternative sources of eye discomfort that may resemble dry eye but aren’t, along with simple solutions for addressing them.
Allergies
Pollen, mold, dust, pet dander, weather and seasonal factors can all cause eye inflammation. This can result in other symptoms, such as:
- Itchy eyes
- Eye swelling
- Tearing
- Stinging/burning
- Redness
- Temporary blurred vision
What you can do:
The best defense for allergic eyes is to try to avoid the allergens responsible for your symptoms, but that’s not always possible. If you wear contact lenses, removing them and rinsing your eyes with artificial tears after exposure to allergens may provide relief. Blink® drops are not currently indicated for the treatment of allergies, but other over-the-counter or prescription treatments may be an option. Consult with your eye care professional to determine the best treatment for your allergies.
Contact Lens Wear and Care
If you use contact lenses and are encountering symptoms of dry eye, a few things could be going on:
- Are you wearing your contacts for longer than recommended? If yes, consult your doctor. Contacts should not be worn longer than recommended.
- Have you cleaned your lenses according to the instructions specific to the contact lens solution you use?
- Have you switched solutions? Remember, not all solutions are the same.
- If you use a lens case, are you cleaning it regularly and properly?
- Are you in a room with air conditioning on?
- Have you traveled to a dry environment?
What you can do:
If you said yes to any of the questions above, begin by ensuring that you are following the correct wear cycle of your lenses and practicing proper contact lens care. You can use Blink Contacts® Lubricating Eye Drops, or if you notice build up impacting clarity of vision, try Blink-N-Clean® Lens Drops. Consult your eye care practitioner, as there may be other determining factors, you may have a sensitivity to your contact lens material or using the wrong contact solution.
This information can be found in the TFOS DEWS II Report
Tired, Strained Eyes
Spending a long time doing any one thing—like watching TV, working on the computer, staring at your phone, or driving—can make your eyes feel strained, tired, or dry. Some symptoms include:
- Tearing
- Dryness
- Blurred vision
- Squinting to see better or feel more comfortable
- Blinking more often
What you can do:
For relief from tired eyes, one of the simplest solutions is to ensure you take breaks, regardless of the task at hand. Whether it involves stepping away from the computer, putting down your phone or book, or taking regular stops during extended drives. If dryness persists, artificial tears can help provide relief.
GIVE YOUR EYES AN INSTANT REFRESH WITH THE 20-20-20 RULE
- Every 20 minutes
- Look up for 20 seconds
- And focus on an object 20 feet away
Then blink 20 times to give your eyes an extra bit of care.