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With age, your eyes make fewer tears. Less tears can lead to dry spots that irritate the eye and reduce vision. Some people produce normal amounts of tears, but the quality of fluid is poor. The tears lack essential components for eye lubrication.
Tears are more than just water. They’re a complex mixture that also includes fatty oils, proteins, electrolytes and bacteria-fighting substances. An exact mixture is necessary to keep the eye surface moist, smooth and clear. When the mix is off balance, tear fluid can evaporate too fast and dry the eye’s surface.
Like any liquid, tear fluid also evaporates when it’s exposed to air. To slow tear evaporation:
- Avoid air blowing in your eyes from hair dryers, car heaters, air conditioners or fans.
- Wear eyeglasses or sunglasses on windy days. Safety shields can be added to the tops and sides of glasses to block wind and dry air.
- Keep your home humidity between 30% and 50%.
- Take eye breaks during long tasks, such as reading, that require visual concentration. Close your eyes for a few minutes. Or blink repeatedly for a few seconds to help spread your tears evenly over your eyes.
- Position your computer screen below eye level. If the screen is above eye level, you need open your eyes wider to view the screen. You may be able to slow tear evaporation between eye blinks if you don’t have to open your eyes as wide.
- Be aware of your environment. The air at high altitudes, in desert areas and in airplanes can be extremely dry. When spending time in such an environment, frequently close your eyes for a few minutes to minimize tear evaporation.
- Stay away from people who smoke or from smoky environments as smoke can worsen symptoms of dry eyes.
- Use artificial tears regularly. Apply them even when your eyes feel fine to keep them well lubricated.
If these strategies don’t help, see your doctor. He or she can prescribe medications or other treatments to help conserve or increase tear production.
Do you have a different eye problem? Join the Eye Conditions group for conversations with others who may be experiencing the same eye issues that you are.
Keep in mind, practical health tips like this are par for the course with a subscription to Mayo Clinic Health Letter.
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One thing my eye Dr told me was in the corner by nose use your finger pres lightly and bring finger over lower lid this spreads the naturel tears I,il over eyes
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2 ReactionsMy ophthalmologist told me a warm compress helps to promote oil production for lubrication. It really seems to help!
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2 ReactionsMy eye dr asked me to purchase a Brudder Moist Eye Compress. He said I must use it every day. It is a game changer for me. To supplement my dry eyes, he recommended Soothe XP eye drops. Living in dry New Mexico, it has helped immensely.
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1 ReactionThese are all good I use all 3at times I also use cucumber over eyes and left over tea bags I have Glucoma and M.D. so use whatever helps plus drops and ARED,S
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2 Reactions...me too. Had dry eyes 20 years and diagnosed with narrow angle glaucoma 2018 not sure how long I had it tho. I have tried, I think, every dry eye drop they have on the shelf and switched to the ones with no preservative.... unfortunately more expensive. I bought a mask that you opened andput little pads in that warmed themselves up, but at the time asked Specialist and he said No... with narrow angles not to put pressure on eyes that held mask on! Different types of glaucoma I found out... so had laser surgery Iridotomy last March which makes tiny holes in eyes to relieve pressure in eyes but still not sure status as Specialist 4 hours away and local one is 12 month wait... Optometrist got fed up with me I think and passed me onto his partner for eyesight tests. Now one of my adult daughters has dry eyes and job is on computer all day... I made a list of the drops I have tried and whether or not liked them as some make eyes almost sticky; and she is trying: right now am using Hylo bought here made in Germany, very expensive but last 6 months...no preservative... but hard to instil without poking my eye! lioness what are ared.s? So many more people seem to have dry eyes these days!
Thanks for sharing this information. I tried it and it seems to work in spreading tear fluid to entire eye.
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1 Reaction@lacy2 AGED RELATED EYE DIS
EASE Dr put me on this for Macular Degeneration I found through my own investigation that eye drops that have vitamins in them worked better for me .I had drops from India that I liked but need to order more also I found a product ,pill, you take twice a day for dry eyes it's vitamins for this purpose.For days now I haven't had to use drops.
@lioness... oh a pill ? That sounds interesting. I find dry eye drops leave a coating feeling on eyes, which of course they are supposed to do.... and the Latanaprost for glaucoma is strong and side effects. Is yur vision impaired lioness? Having bad day, is these days "everything" acts up, eh? Had some on and off numbness in right cheek over years and since yesterday is cheek and ear etc., not sure if neuropathy or from dental work... honestly I would crawl into a hospital bed these days but husband says be glad I can be i own bed, own bedroom... another pity party for myself, hate it when I cant stop crying.... not a pretty site with tears running down my wrinkly face! XX
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1 Reaction@lacy2 Yes I have Glucoma so am on Latanoprest and Macular Degeneration both .The drops for zM.D Restasis made my eyes burn so went of them The AREDS I use have a formula in them for dry eyes.Its called Optify Eye health ATEDS2 FORMULA I have 2back fractures,loads of back problems , fibromyalgia, now severe pain in hip/ thigh area ,hope it isn't a hip problem ,go to Neurosurgeon this Monday. Like you with your depression I try not to think about my problems but some days I just want to stay in bed
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1 Reaction@lioness Oh I hadnt realized you also have M.D. Eye issues are frightening arent they?
Except for dentist x 2 last week i did come to bed, lying on top. but last 2 days under the covers! Cant have friendly visitors during Covid... one daughter in Toronto for 2 weeks other is home but finds my illnesses hard to handle and a bit upset I am not on anti depressant; although am on Clonazapem. This numbness in face and around eye and ear prob. from dental but knowing the sources isnt helping...
I feel at the end of my rope but felt like this before... so hopefully will feel better soon: the physical affects my mental so easily and I have been through this before, just like layers on an onion.... but onions make us cry right? We don't have a neurosurgeon here... have yu seen one before? Hope its better news from him... ibs acting up too which puts icing on cake! Thanks for notes. J.