Dry eyes can occur for lots of reasons.
Often, the glands of the eye can’t produce enough tears, or the tears evaporate too quickly. Not enough oil in the tears, cold or dry weather conditions, indoor heating and air conditioning can leave the eyes feeling parched and irritated.
So can too much exposure to the sun and allergies. Plus, dry eyes can be a side effect of certain medications and medical conditions, as well as aging.
While persistent dry symptoms require the attention of an eye doctor with experience diagnosing and treating the condition, warm compresses are a great way to soothe your eyes and relieve the symptoms until you can get to a dry eye optometrist.
What Are The Symptoms of Dry Eyes?
Most people with dry eyes experience at least one of the following symptoms:
- Dry, irritated eyes
- Sore eyes
- Blurry vision
- Itchy eyes
- Red eyes
- Watery eyes
How To Create A Warm Compress
Prepare a warm compress by soaking a clean washcloth in warm water, wringing out the water, and folding the washcloth so that it sits comfortably over your eyes for a few minutes.
Warm compresses help loosen clogged oil in the glands of your eyelids, which allows the oils to flow into the tears and prevent them from evaporating. Additionally, the moisture in the compresses hydrates the eyes, and the warmth relieves soreness.
While warm compresses aren’t a long-term solution for dry eyes, they’re safe to use on a regular basis. If your symptoms persist, book a dry eye consultation with Monroe Vision Associates Dry Eye Center today.
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Our practice serves patients from Monroe Township, Trenton, Edison, and Easton, New Jersey and surrounding communities.