Cold, bitter winds and dry air can have a significant impact on the moisture of your eyes and the winter months may bring on more symptoms. Seasonal changes such as lower indoor humidity and high winds, can lead to dry eyes and discomfort.
Dry eyes are caused by inadequate eye lubrication, which may be brought on by previous laser eye surgery, a health condition, medications, age, lifestyle habits or environmental factors. If you spend most of your day looking at a computer or tablet screen or working in a windy, smoky environment, you are more likely to experience dry eyes.
Treating your dry eyes starts with preventive measures in your everyday life. Anything that disrupts the tear film on your eyes (which is made of mucus, aqueous fluid and fatty oils) can increase your dry eye symptoms.
While you may not be able to avoid long hours on a computer, there are ways to limit the effect screen use has on your eyes such as positioning your computer screen below eye level. The lower position of the screen prevents you from opening your eyes wider. Follow the 20/20/20 rule — Take a computer break every 20 minutes and look 20 feet away for 20 seconds or blink several times.
Smoking and exposure to smoke make dry eye symptoms worse. Talk to your doctor about quitting and avoid friends and family members who are smoking around you.
Occasional dry eye symptoms due to weather changes aren’t usually cause for concern. You’ll usually notice your symptoms worsen when you’ve been outside or in a very hot room.
However, if you use treatments and preventive methods to treat dry eyes, and your symptoms don’t improve, you may need to consider seeing your eye doctor.
For those who are suffering from chronic dry eye syndrome you may want to consider Rexon-Eye treatment.
The therapy consists of 4 treatment sessions of 20 minutes each, at one week intervals. There is no downtime or restrictions following a session of Rexon-Eye.
To find out more, book in for a consultation and we will be happy to discuss these treatment with you.