tears after sensing eye dryness.
Hormone replacements like estrogen have a greater likelihood of developing dry eye, says a study involving more than 25,000 post-menopausal women. According to researchers, participants taking the hormone replacement alone, showed a 69% increased risk of dry eye while those taking estrogen plus progesterone had a 29% greater risk of dry eye than women not taking hormones.
Diagnosing dry eye
Your ophthalmologist will perform an eye exam where they look at your eyelids and the surface of the eye. They will also check how you blink.
There are many different tests to diagnose dry eyes. Your ophthalmologist may consider a test that measures the quality or thickness of your tears. They may also opt to measure how quickly you produce tears.
RELATED: Natural Ways To Take Care Of Dry Eyes
Dry Eye Prevention Tips
- Try not to use a hair dryer, if possible.
- Stay away from very warm rooms. In the winter, add moisture to the air with a humidifier. Or put a pan of water near your heater or radiator.
- Protect your eyes from drying wind by wearing wrap-around glasses outside.
- Talk to your ophthalmologist about adding omega-3 fatty acids to your diet for dry eye relief. They are found naturally in oily fish (such as salmon, sardines, tuna, trout, and anchovies), and in flaxseeds. Omega-3 fatty acids can be added as a dietary supplement (pill or tablet).
- Do you wake up with dry and scratchy eyes? Use artificial tear ointment or thick eye drops just before you go to bed.