5 Ways to Prevent Dry Eye Flare-ups

You know how frustrating dry eye can be. Redness, irritation, and the constant sensation of something in your eye can make daily tasks more difficult. Environmental factors, certain medications, or underlying health conditions often trigger dry eye flare-ups.

While you may not be able to eliminate dry eye, you can take several proactive steps to reduce flare-ups and manage symptoms effectively. In Santa Monica, California, board-certified ophthalmologist E. Joseph Nadji, MD, and our team provide expert care to help you manage and treat dry eye.

Let’s look at five ways to prevent those flare-ups and keep your eyes comfortable.

1. Stay hydrated throughout the day

Hydrating your body is essential for preventing dry eye. When dehydrated, your body produces fewer tears, leaving your eyes dry and irritated.

Drink plenty of water throughout the day — about eight glasses or more, depending on your activity level. Herbal teas and water-rich foods like fruits and vegetables can help maintain hydration. 

Limit caffeine and alcohol, as they can cause dehydration and worsen dry eye symptoms. Staying hydrated keeps your tear glands functioning and helps reduce the chances of flare-ups.

1. Use the right eye drops

Use artificial tears or lubricating eye drops to help relieve dryness. These over-the-counter solutions add moisture to the surface of your eyes, providing temporary relief. However, using the wrong type of drops could cause irritation.

Choose preservative-free eye drops, especially if you use them frequently. If over-the-counter products aren’t enough, ask Dr. Nadji about prescription options like Restasis® or Xiidra®, which help increase tear production and reduce inflammation. For more severe cases, Dr. Nadji may recommend treatments like punctal plugs to retain moisture.

1. Take breaks from screen time

Spending long hours staring at screens reduces your blink rate, causing your eyes to lose moisture. The lack of blinking leads to dryness and irritation, making screen time a common cause of flare-ups.

Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This simple technique helps you blink more often and reduces eye strain. Incorporate regular screen breaks throughout the day to allow your eyes to rest and stay lubricated.

1. Keep your environment humidified

Dry indoor air, especially in the winter, can worsen dry eye symptoms by causing moisture to evaporate from your eyes more quickly. Combat this by increasing the humidity in your environment.

Use a humidifier at home or in your bedroom while you sleep. Aim for a 40-60% humidity level to help maintain eye moisture. If you live in a dry climate, you can use portable humidifiers in rooms where you spend most of your time. Wear protective eyewear to protect your eyes from dry, windy, or dusty conditions outdoors.

1. Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke

Cigarette smoke contains chemicals that can irritate your eyes and interfere with tear production, worsening dry eye symptoms. Secondhand smoke can have the same negative effects, even if you don’t smoke.

Avoid smoke exposure to prevent flare-ups. Quitting smoking will help protect your eyes and improve your overall health. Stay away from smoky environments to keep your eyes comfortable and reduce irritation.

Take control of dry eye symptoms

Call the office or schedule an appointment online if your symptoms persist or worsen. Our team can explore additional treatment options to help you maintain long-term relief and comfort.