“My eyes are really dry. What should I do?”
My eyes have been really dry lately. I use eye drops, and they only help a little bit, but there has to be more. Can you recommend anything?
11 Answers
Use artificial tears drops constantly during the day.
See an ophthalmologist.
DRY EYES
How we treat dry eye depends on the severity. A healthy tear is like alphabet soup with all sorts of nutrients in it to keep the eye healthy. When you use artificial tears it’s like adding broth, which is a start but incomplete. Oral flaxseed oil capsules (2000-4000mg/day) helps the tears spread better and be more stable between blinks. Restasis helps you make more healthy, natural tears, Xiidra does some of that, too, but they are both medicines, not tears, and expect some burning when you put them in because your surface is so roughed up from dryness.
The other thing we can do is try to keep tears in your eye longer by putting plugs in the drain (puncta). It's like putting a plug in the sink and keeps the water in the sink longer, but it doesn't work on the faucet. You still need to add tears, etc.
We like to start with tears 4x a day and flaxseed oil so you get some improvement before putting the medicine on your surface. It takes two weeks for the flaxseed oil to kick in, so we will see you back in2-3 weeks, and then we usually will add a medicine (Restasis or Xiidra) to help make healthy tears.
We usually try to get the tears healthier first, and if there are still symptoms or signs we will try plugs (a simple painless procedure done right in the office). But if you can't get or tolerate the meds, we still do plugs.
There are many types of artificial tears, different thicknesses, and some with lipid in them. If you use drops very frequently we like to use non-preserved tears. If you try a brand of tears in one eye you can compare to a different brand in the other eye and see which works best for you.
If you judge yourself on a 1-10 scale, 10 being the worst dryness, where are you now? Then we will compare each step as to how you do. This is a process of improvement, not a full cure.
Dry eye is also made worse by allergies, and you are exposed to more allergens when you are outside.It is best to get a full examination to see what is going on with your eyes.
Lisa S. Bunin, M.D.
How we treat dry eye depends on the severity. A healthy tear is like alphabet soup with all sorts of nutrients in it to keep the eye healthy. When you use artificial tears it’s like adding broth, which is a start but incomplete. Oral flaxseed oil capsules (2000-4000mg/day) helps the tears spread better and be more stable between blinks. Restasis helps you make more healthy, natural tears, Xiidra does some of that, too, but they are both medicines, not tears, and expect some burning when you put them in because your surface is so roughed up from dryness.
The other thing we can do is try to keep tears in your eye longer by putting plugs in the drain (puncta). It's like putting a plug in the sink and keeps the water in the sink longer, but it doesn't work on the faucet. You still need to add tears, etc.
We like to start with tears 4x a day and flaxseed oil so you get some improvement before putting the medicine on your surface. It takes two weeks for the flaxseed oil to kick in, so we will see you back in2-3 weeks, and then we usually will add a medicine (Restasis or Xiidra) to help make healthy tears.
We usually try to get the tears healthier first, and if there are still symptoms or signs we will try plugs (a simple painless procedure done right in the office). But if you can't get or tolerate the meds, we still do plugs.
There are many types of artificial tears, different thicknesses, and some with lipid in them. If you use drops very frequently we like to use non-preserved tears. If you try a brand of tears in one eye you can compare to a different brand in the other eye and see which works best for you.
If you judge yourself on a 1-10 scale, 10 being the worst dryness, where are you now? Then we will compare each step as to how you do. This is a process of improvement, not a full cure.
Dry eye is also made worse by allergies, and you are exposed to more allergens when you are outside.It is best to get a full examination to see what is going on with your eyes.
Lisa S. Bunin, M.D.
Warm compresses and Omega-3 capsules, also known as fish oil. Sometimes the Meibobian glands (top layer of the tear film) that produces the oil gets clogged if a person has Omega-6, which is a thicker oil and is prone to clogging the gland. Warm compresses allow the thickened oil to liquify and return to covering the water layer to prevent it from evaporating. Beneath the water layer is the mucous layer that causes the tear layers to adhere to the cornea. Eating salmon frequently can substitute for Omega-3, but is often more expensive.
Roger Ohanesian, MD
Roger Ohanesian, MD
There is restasis and xiidra that are by prescription and need to be used every 12 hours on a continuous basis. They help the tear gland to produce tears. Also, there is a quick in-office procedure called punctal plugs that help keep the tears on the eye. They block updrainage system. For anything more than tear drops, you need to see an eye care doctor.
There are many causes for Ocular Surface Disease (dry eye) that require different treatment regimens. See an Comprehensive Ophthalmologist or better yet, one specializing in Cornea & External Disease for professional diagnosis and management.
There are several options. You may be experiencing dry eye syndrome, which may require a prescription medications. Or you may have allergies and might try an OTC medication like Naphcon or Ocuhist drops. Or you may be experiencing a blepharitis problem, in which case mild warm compresses and lid scrubs would help.
Hot moist compresses twice a day to both eyes with washcloth at least 3-5 minutes combined with =E2=80=9Cfrequent=E2=80=9D artificial tears=3D use the longer duration, more viscous tears such as Systane Ultra or Soothe XP (last longer). If using 4X per day or more use only the =E2=80=9Cpreservative free=E2=80=9D. If you can keep them in the fridge as they will feel great when instilled cool. Start with >10 per day to see the effect and then after 4-5 ays you can trickle back to see the effect of lesser frequency drops.
Stephen Sinclair, MD
Stephen Sinclair, MD
Depends on the cause of your dry eyes, which treatment would be ideal. Try out retaine artificial tears which are like an emollient, and last longer. They should be used four times a day or more often, especially with winter upon us
Try to moisturize your eyelids with a gentle lubricant and use artificial eye tear drops liberally.
You can try a gel tear drop. However, you are probably best off seeing an ophthalmologist for an evaluation of your dry eyes. There are many other options which may be appropriate for you. For example, prescription tears, Xiidra or Restasis, punctal plugs, steroid eyedrops, and oral omega-3 supplements are some of the possibilities. There may be other treatable factors causing your dry eyes as well.
