Summertime might mean fun in the sun, but it also means summertime dry eyes for many Albertans. As the temperature rises and people spend more time outdoors, dry eye symptoms become increasingly common. While people with diagnosed Dry Eye Syndrome (DES) may feel their symptoms flare up, other people who are not diagnosed may notice how their eyes bother them this time of year. Common symptoms of dry eyes include itching, burning, and stinging of the eyes as well as a feeling of grittiness in the eyes. Learn more below about how you can reduce these symptoms.
What An Optometrist Wants You To Know About Dry Eyes And Symptom Prevention
Causes Of Summer Dry Eyes
- Sunlight. During summer, people tend to spend more time outside. This, combined with the long days, increases exposure to UV rays. This can cause dry eye symptoms to present as the sunlight causes evaporation of the tear film layer of the eyes. UV exposure can also cause photokeratitis, or sunburn of the eyes, which can further aggravate dry eye symptoms.
- Allergens. While summer fun may be in the air, so are pollen, mold, smog, and more. Many people are allergic to grasses and pollens that float through the air, and with the flora and fauna in full bloom, pollinators busy at work, and the ideal temperature for mold growth, summer can cause severe dry eye symptoms.
- Other Irritants. Allergens aren’t the only irritants that can make your eyes feel dry and itchy. Chlorinated water, salt water, and dust are all common irritants that can make dry eyes worse.
- Heat And A Dry Climate. As the weather heats up, it can contribute to the evaporation of the tear film in the eyes. Because Calgary is a very sunny and dry city, the air tends to hold very little humidity, which further causes tear evaporation.
At-Home Treatments
- Wear Sunglasses. Wearing sunglasses is an incredibly important part of protecting your eyes from UV rays, but sunglasses also help to prevent dry eye symptoms. By reducing your UV exposure and by preventing how much wind can reach your eyes, you can lower your chance of developing photokeratitis or evaporating your tear film.
- Use Eye Drops. Sufferers of dry eyes often use lubricating eye drops such as artificial tears to help replace the lost moisture in their eyes. Eye drops can help to soothe the dry or burning sensation in the eye by adding lubrication, but they can also help to clear foreign particles out of the eye.
- Wear Goggles. To keep irritants such as chloride, salt water, and bacteria out of your eyes while swimming, wear goggles that seal properly to your face.
- Drink Water. Staying hydrated both inside and out will help your eyes produce the liquid they need.
How Your Optometrist Can Help Treat Dry Eyes
- Prescription Eye Drops. If you are diagnosed with DES, your optometrist may prescribe eye drops that are specially formulated to help with tear production. Steroid eye drops are also sometimes prescribed by optometrists.
- Punctal Plugs. This is a small, sterile device that is inserted into the tear drainage duct in the corner of the eye. Punctual plugs help to keep tears on the surface of the eyes by reducing the amount of tear drainage.
- Lacrisert®. This dry eye treatment is a tiny insert filled with lubricating ingredients placed just inside the lower eyelid. This product is effective for 24 hours.
- REVITAL-EYES Dry Eye Care. Lumenis Optima™ Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Treatments and EndyMed 3DEEP™ Radio Frequency (RF) Treatments can both be used to reduce dry eye symptoms. These advanced dry eye treatments help to break up clogged and solidified oils within the meibomian gland while also targeting and removing any abnormal blood vessels or chalazion/styes. REVITAL-EYES Dry Eye Treatment is ideal for patients with lighter to medium skin complexions.
- Addressing Underlying Causes Of Dry Eyes. Sometimes dry eyes are a symptom of prescription medications you may be on. In these cases, your optometrist can discuss with your family health provider about switching prescriptions to relieve dry eye symptoms. Dry eyes can also be a symptom of eyelid disease or another eye condition. By addressing the underlying condition, your optometrist can help relieve dry eye symptoms.
Visit A Calgary Optometrist For Dry Eye Relief
If you suspect you suffer from Dry Eye Syndrome, visit Blink Eyewear in Calgary. If you are suffering from dry eye symptoms, scheduling an eye exam with a Calgary optometrist from Blink Eyewear is a great way to address your symptoms and receive suggestions and treatment for dry eye relief. With three convenient locations in Crowfoot in NW Calgary, West Springs in SW Calgary, and Creekside in NW Calgary, Blink Eyewear can offer you great optometry services throughout the city. To book an appointment with Blink Eyewear, call 1-403-516-2292 or fill out the online contact form.
If you want to know more about the severity of your dry eyes, you can take the REVITAL-EYES dry eye quiz. Learn more about this quiz and the effects of DES by reading Take Our REVITAL-EYES Dry Eye Quiz And Say Good Bye To Dry Eyes.