Relief for Severe Dry Eyes

Dry eyes can be more than just a nuisance, they can be downright painful. It can hurt to have eyes so dry that it is difficult to blink. There are many ways to find relief, both temporary and permanent so that you can either get rid of the problem completely or curb it enough so that it becomes a minor focus.

Go to Your Doctor

• This is probably the most important of all of the tips. Although dry eyes can be irritating, they can also be a symptom for something more serious like Sjogren's syndrome. Sjogren's is a condition in the same vein as lupus. It is an autoimmune disease, meaning that your body is essentially attacking itself. One of the hallmark symptoms of Sjogren's is severe dry eye and mouth. Talk to your doctor about getting tested before moving forward, as Sjogren's can potentially be fatal. The disease can be controlled, however, and the doctor can give you medicine to help produce more tears as well as control the progression of the Sjogren's.

Plugs

• Talk to your doctor about a surgical treatment that will help you control your amount of tears: plugs. This is a relatively simple procedure that can be done in one office visit, and it can increase your tear production over time, making your dry eyes more manageable. The plugs can be permanent or temporary, and your doctor will likely help advise you on which to use.

Artificial Tears

• You can have your doctor prescribe some to you or buy artificial tears over the counter. Although they won't solve the problem, the artificial tears will help your eyes feel less dry and make it easier to concentrate on tasks that would be difficult without them, such as driving, working at the computer and reading. However, Dr. Esen Akpek an opthamologist at Johns Hopkins University warns against using artificial tears too often, saying it can produce inflammation on the eye surface and eventual scarring of tear producing glands. He recommends that topical cyclosporine should be used instead to help more serious cases.

Sunglasses

• It is important that you wear sunglasses to protect your eyes. This is a good tip for anyone, but especially those that live in a dry climate. The sunglasses will shield your eyes from wind and other irritants that dry the tears from your eyes.

Vitamins

• Make sure you take vitamins like fish oil and fatty acids. These help lubricate your body so that your muscles move more fluidly but can also help with your eyes. The lubrication can extend to the muscles around your eyes, making it all the easier to produce tears.