During the winter, optometrist professionals in Victoria, BC, see many patients who report having uncomfortably dry eyes. Dry eye syndrome is a common occurrence in Victoria, even though the winter climate is relatively mild. Dry eye syndrome is characterized by itching, burning, and gritty sensations in one or both eyes, as well as by eye fatigue, eye redness, and blurry vision. Thankfully, there are some steps you can take to relieve dry eyes. The Victoria Optometric Association has put together a few useful tips to help you out.
Use lubricating eye drops Many people find relief from dry eyes over the winter by simply using lubricating eye drops. You should be able to find lubricating eye drops in any pharmacy, but make sure that you don't just grab the first bottle of eye drops that you see. There are many different types of eye drops available, such as eye drops to relieve redness or allergies. You'll want to look for a bottle that specifically says either "lubricating eye drops" or "artificial tears."
Look away from screens once in a while Optometrists in Victoria, BC often need to advise their patients to take breaks from staring at computer and phone screens. Looking at a screen can slow down your rate of blinking, drying out your eyes. If you need to work at a computer for long periods of time, then take a break at least every 20 minutes to look away for a while, preferably at an object that's further away.
Use a humidifier at home Indoor heating can lower the levels of humidity in your home during the winter, leading to dry eye issues. You can help combat this by investing in a quality humidifier that will bring the humidity levels in your home back up.
Make some dietary changes, Believe it or not, your diet can actually affect the lubrication of your eyes. Make sure that you always drink plenty of water so as not to get dehydrated, and try to eat more foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids. Fish oil supplements may be able to help as well.
Talk to an Optometrist in Victoria, BC It is highly recommended that you get your dry eyes checked out by a doctor of optometry in Victoria, BC. An optometrist can make sure that your dry eyes are caused by the winter climate and not by any other underlying medical conditions. They can suggest some good over-the-counter eye drops or prescribe you stronger eye drops if your dryness is more severe. An optometrist in Victoria, BC can also give you information on other dry eye treatment options, such as punctual plugs. There's no reason to live with the distracting and unpleasant sensations of dry eyes when so many solutions are available. The Victoria Optometric Association makes it easy to find optometrists in Victoria, BC who can help you. Just take a look through our list of members and book an appointment with an optometrist near you today.