“Doctor, my eyes are dry.”
There are many factors that cause a person to have dry eyes. Here is a list of some of the more common reasons:
Hormonal changes – especially as we get older
Computer use – our blink rate is normally ~18 times per minute; when we stare at a computer it drops to ~6x
Evaporation – dry environments can exacerbate tear evaporation
Eye strain – even a small prescription or a minor update can relieve eye strain
Contact lens overwear – your eyes need to be uncovered for 2-hours every day
Loose lids – this can cause your tears to “drip” out at a faster rate
With the above in mind, here is what I recommend for people who have dry eyes:
Raise the humidity level in your environment – the easiest way is to add a humidifier to your space, especially when you are on a computer more than 4-hours per day.
Get your eyes examined and wear your updated prescription – this is especially true as you get into your 40’s when you naturally start losing your ability to focus clearly.
I recommend glasses specifically prescribed for computer use with blue light protection.
Use a “Bruder Mask” – this is a mask with beads that you heat in your microwave, then put over your closed eyes for 15-minutes from a few times per week to twice per day per your eye doctor’s instructions.
Eye drops, both prescription and over-the-counter types – these can be helpful, especially for instant relief; generally, they do not last very long.