Neither will anti-allergy drops, he adds. That will make your eyes whiter, but it won’t do anything for your dry eyes. “These drops only clamp down on the blood vessels in your eyes,” says Dr. They’ll also stay longer on the surface of your eyes.Īvoid eyedrops that promise to get the red out of your eye. Artificial tears replace the essentials in tears. “You really want ones that say ‘artificial tears’ ,” says Dr. Here’s a way to unclog the oil glands (besides drops): Use a warm compress on your eyes for 5 to 10 minutes a day. This is usually because of aging or certain medical conditions. It could be that you are not making good-quality tears, which might mean the oil glands in your eyelids are blocked and the tears evaporate too quickly. Tears also wash away dust and pollutants and help you see more clearly. Those tears cover your eyeballs, keeping them wet and moist. What happens when your eyes get dryĮvery time you blink, the tiny glands in your eyes produce tears. The Optum Store carries a variety of eyedrops to fit your needs. We asked the experts to break down those options - and help you figure out when you should see an eye doctor for prescription drops. And the store shelves are full of options. When you stare at your phone or computer, you don’t blink as often, so you don’t produce as many tears. Your devices can also contribute to dry eye. That’s thanks to low humidity and indoor heating. He’s an optometrist and an assistant professor at Pennsylvania College of Optometry/Salus University in Elkins Park. Winter can make dry eyes worse, too, says Laine Higa, OD. People who wear contact lenses or take certain medications (such as antihistamines or blood pressure medications) are also at higher risk. It tends to happen to folks over 50, especially women, according to the National Eye Institute. He’s a neuro-ophthalmologist at Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica, California. “Dry eyes are by far and away the most common condition eye doctors see and diagnose,” says Alexander Solomon, MD. So if your eyes feel scratchy, burn, sting or are really watery, you might have a condition called dry eye. If you haven't experienced some relief with these efforts, make an appointment with an eye doctor, such as an ophthalmologist or optometrist, who can suggest other treatments.We don’t think about our eyes much. These can temporarily cause blurred vision, so you might prefer to apply the ointment just before bedtime. If you still don't have relief after trying different products, the next step might be to try one or more artificial tear ointments. These may cause temporary blurred vision. Preservative-free eye drops may come in single-dose vials.Īrtificial tears are also available as nonprescription gels and gel inserts. This type has fewer additives and is generally recommended if you apply artificial tears more than four times a day, or if you have moderate or severe dry eyes. The preservatives may irritate your eyes, especially if you have moderate or severe dry eyes. This type often comes in multidose bottles and contains preservatives that discourage growth of bacteria once the bottle has been opened. There are two categories of artificial tears: This helps keep the solution on the surface of your eyes longer. Artificial tears also may contain thickening agents. Others work to decrease tear evaporation. You may need to try several different brands before you find one that works best for you.īesides lubricating your eyes, some artificial tears also promote healing of the eyes. No single brand works best for every form of dry eyes. Artificial tears are available without a prescription.
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