5 Simple Lifestyle Changes to Help Dry Eyes

Living with the symptoms of dry eyes is hard. Alongside using products especially designed to help dry eyes (check out our range here), you can implement 5 simple lifestyle changes today to help manage your symptoms and provide some relief.

1. Stay Hydrated

We know, we know, blog posts like these are always harping on about drinking more water. But, there is a very good reason for it! Ensuring you are hydrated is vital for your overall health, including your eye health. Dehydration can contribute significantly to dry eyes, so making sure that you drink enough water throughout the day is super important. Ideally you should be aiming for at least 8 glasses of water daily. 

2. Use a Humidifier 

Using a humidifier is a simple yet effective way to help dry eyes. It helps by increasing moisture levels in the air, meaning tears evaporate more slowly. This is especially important if you are running the air conditioning or heating a lot, as both remove moisture from the air. You can read more about the benefits of using a humidifier here. 

3. Omega-3 Supplements

Getting enough Omega-3 in your diet is important for maintaining good eye health, and is especially important if you suffer from dry eyes. The American Academy of Ophthalmology has found that ‘omega-3s in fish oil seem to reduce inflammation’ associated with dry eye conditions. Taking an omega-3 supplement every day is an easy way to help support your eye health. Omega-3 can be found in both fish oil tablets and flaxseed tablets for those who do not consumer animal products.

4. Limit Screen Time 

Starting at a screen all day can strain your eyes and worsen the symptoms of dry eyes. If you work on a computer, try scheduling regular breaks to step away from your screen. You can follow the 20-20-20 rule to help give your eyes a break: every 20 minutes, take a 20 second break and look at something that is at least 20 feet away (read more about the importance of preventing eye strain here).

5. Adjust Your Environment 

Your environment plays a huge role in managing the symptoms of dry eyes. Avoid direct exposure to fans and air conditioning in summer and to heaters in winter, as these can all increase the rate of tear evaporation. Many people find that their dry eye symptoms are worse in winter, and reducing your heating usage can be a simple way to provide relief (read more about preventing dry eyes in winter here). 

Try these simple lifestyle changes today to help your dry eye symptoms, and don’t forget that we stock a large range of products specifically designed to help provide relief for dry eyes.