- Use a humidifier to help restore humidity to the air and moisture to the eyes.
- Drink lots of fluids to keep your body hydrated and maintain moisture in your eyes.
- Protect your eyes from extreme cold and wind. That can include eye protection or a hat with a visor.
- Don’t let heat blow directly onto your face. Doing so can dry up moisture in your eyes. Turn your car vents toward your lower body to avoid this problem.
During cold weather, your eyes can dry out even more if you wear contacts. So, Locy says, be sure you always wear clean contacts to reduce itching and possible infection.
Lifestyle changes can also help. Try getting more omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. Treat your eyes to warm compresses and massage your eyelids. Blink regularly when reading or working at a computer for long periods of time.
Also, increase the humidity in the air at work and at home, wear sunglasses to shield eyes outdoors, and drink eight to 10 glasses of water each day to stay hydrated.
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When to see a doctor
Dry eye can sometimes progress to dry eye disease. See your doctor if you’re concerned.
Dry eye cannot be cured, Locy says, but symptoms can be relieved by using eye drops, ointments or medication, or by plugging some tear ducts to slow the drainage of tears from the eye’s surface.