5 Tips For Avoiding Dry Eye This Summerin Boston, MA
Summer is a great time to spend your days outdoors getting some sun. But for some people, the warm, sunny weather can cause dry eye syndrome.
Dry eye is an uncomfortable condition caused by inadequate tear production. It can leave your eyes feeling inflamed, sore, and gritty.
Some people are more predisposed to dry eye than others. Certain factors can trigger whether you have a predisposition. Keep reading for 5 tips to avoid dry eye this summer!
1. Eat Well
A common cause of dry eye, regardless of the season, is poor nutrition. Omega-3 fatty acids are important when it comes to maintaining good eye health.
This is especially true for tear production. You can get omega-3 fatty acids from supplements like fish oil or flaxseed oil.
These vitamins are always best absorbed when it comes to your food. Do your best to eat foods rich in omega-3, like fish.
This means salmon, mackerel, and sardines. You can also eat more flaxseed, chia seeds, hemp seeds, soybeans, and walnuts. Whether you eat meat or are completely vegan, there are ways to include plenty of omega-3 in your diet.
2. Be Careful With the AC
When it gets unbearably hot, having air conditioning can be a lifesaver. But try not to be inside when the AC is blasting.
The cool air can dry out your eyes. You can mitigate the drying effect with a humidifier.
But you can also go easy on the AC instead, making sure that you don’t have it up too high for too long. If you have to be near the air conditioner, stay away from any blowing air.
3. Limit Your Screen Time
Summertime often comes with more time off work. This is a great opportunity to finally binge all the TV you’ve missed out on.
Go ahead and enjoy yourself, but be mindful about how long you stare at a screen. Exposing your eyes to too much blue light from electronic screens can dry out your eyes.
Remembering to blink often can help a lot. You should also take a break from the screen once in a while to rest your eyes. If your eyes feel tired or dry, you can revive them with eye drops or artificial tears as well.
4. Wear Sunglasses
Sunlight is something you should always protect your eyes and skin from. UV light is harmful and can cause long-term damage to your vision.
In the short term, it can trigger symptoms of dry eye. Be sure to wear sunglasses whenever you go out in sunny weather.
Make sure your sunglasses block out 99% of UV rays as well. You can find out if your sunglasses are providing enough protection by looking for a sticker on them when you buy them.
5. Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of water. When you’re dehydrated, it shouldn’t surprise you that your body has trouble producing tears.
Staying hydrated is important for your health, too, especially in the hot weather. Drink enough water and make sure you’re drinking more if you’re spending an extended amount of time outdoors in the heat.
Even better, try to drink electrolyte-rich beverages. They’ll help your body retain fluids and keep you hydrated better than plain water if it’s hotter than normal outside!
Concerned about your dry eye symptoms? Schedule an appointment at The Nielsen Eye Center in Boston, MA today to discuss how we can help come up with a treatment plan for your symptoms!
Call The Nielsen Eye Center at 617-471-5665 to speak to one of our Patient Advocates about your dry eye treatment options!
