Dry eye refers to a condition in which the eyes cannot produce enough tears or tears are produced without sufficient consistency. Individuals with chronic dry eyes may experience burning or stinging sensations in the eyes, redness, itchiness, fibrous discharge, blurred vision, or they may feel like something is trapped under the eyelid. Individuals with dry eyes occasionally experience eye strain and fatigue mainly after using a blue screen device.

Here are some treatments to effectively relieve dry eyes:

1. Wash lashes and lids
When you clean your face, pay close attention to your eyelashes and eyelids. Use a gentle cleanser (i.e.,  or a preservative-free eyelid cleanser) and warm water to smooth the lower and upper eyelids. Pay special attention to delicate eye areas when applying facial creams or makeup that can penetrate the tear film and possibly irritate the eyes.

2. Avoid excess air movement
Avoid environments or activities that increase the exposure to rapid air movement that can quickly dry out the eyes, for instance, hairdryers, fans, car heating or air conditioning, and windy weather. One tip to avoid dry eyes is to wear glasses or sunglasses in windy weather or in air conditioned vehicles to protect the eyes from drying out.

3. Use a humidifier
Home boiler systems and forced air may make the air in your house very dry. However, using a humidifier adds much needed moisture to the air and keeps eyes naturally moisturized. If you do not own a humidifier, you can also place a bowl of water in front of the radiator to increase moisture levels in the air.

4. Rest your eyes
Continuous connectivity to blue screens (i.e., smartphones and tablets) can contribute to dry eyes. The light from blue screen devices and televisions may irritate the eyes quickly. Also, when we stare at screens for long periods we tend to blink less often, which contributes to dry eyes. According to research from the National Institutes of Health, computer users have a low blink rate, which can lead to chronic dry eye syndrome. The research also shows that inefficient blinking (in which the upper eyelids do not conceal the entire cornea during a blink) can disrupt the layer of lubrication and fluid that nourishes the eye. This lipid layer can completely evaporate due to ineffective blinking.

5. Avoid cigarette smoke
Cigarette smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals, which may irritate the eyes. Smokers are twice as likely to have dry eyes as smoking changes tear composition,  causing increased risk of dry eye. Eye health and smoking just don’t mix. If you are a smoker, please consider quitting. In case you do not smoke, try to avoid areas where smokers loiter.

6. Warm compresses
Placing warm compress over closed eyes and then washing the eyelids with gentle baby shampoo triggers the release of natural oils into the glands of the eyelids, improving the quality of tears. Ensure you completely rinse the soap out of your eyes to avoid further eye irritation.

7. Moderate alcohol
Excessive alcohol consumption may lead to dehydration that can affect the eyes. Research by the National Institutes of Health, discovered a link between dry eye syndrome and excessive alcohol consumption.  Minimize alcohol consumption, or eliminate it completely, and take note if the symptoms of dry eye continue.

8. Omega-3 fatty acids
Some individuals report relief of dry eye after including omega-3 fatty acids in the diet. These occur naturally in foodstuffs like flax-seed and bluefish, but may also be bought as a liquid supplement in pill or liquid drop form.

9. Eye drops
The Mayo Clinic suggests preservative-free natural tears eye drops to help soothe tired, red eyes. Redness eye drops often include preservatives and chemicals that can further irritate the eyes with long term use; hence, ensure the drops you utilize are natural tears for dry eyes.