The human eye is a complex and sensitive organ. It’s able to do its job largely thanks to a system for lubrication, which comes courtesy of the lachrymal gland, which sits just behind the eye. The eyes need to be kept moist in order to function properly, but sometimes, they can’t do this on their own. 

This failure results in a drying of the eyeball. This is a relatively common experience, but fortunately, it’s one that can be addressed and prevented through a number of simple steps.

Take breaks from screens

One reason that so many of us in the modern age experience dry eyes is that we spend such a long time looking at digital displays.

There’s a simple cause and effect to understand, here. When we look at screens, we tend to blink less often than we otherwise would. The average blink rate is less than half of what it would otherwise be. This means less moisture is spread across the eye. 

There’s a simple solution here – take regular breaks, dial down the brightness, and try to avoid sitting in a dark room, staring at a very bright screen.

Use protective eyewear

If your eyes are regularly exposed to fast-moving, dry air, then it’s natural that they’ll dry out more quickly. For this reason, it might be worth experimenting with safety-focused eyeglasses, with shields around the sides and the tops. If you’re wearing contact lenses, shop around for products designed for dry eyes. Wearing contact lenses for more than one day can cause problems, so if you’re going to do this, make sure that you clean them properly. Make sure that you find contact lenses designed to deal with dry eyes, too.

Increase the humidity

If the air in your home is excessively dry, then your eyes might struggle to keep up. The humidity should ideally rest between forty and sixty percent. If your home is drier than this, then investing in a special humidifier might be worthwhile. This will also have another advantage, in that it will clean the air in your home. 

Use eye drops

Getting moisture into your eye directly is another option, and often a highly effective one in the short term. The right eye drops will function in exactly the same way as your tear ducts (albeit less regularly). The product that will yield the best results might not always be obvious, however, and thus it’s worth consulting with a professional before you invest.

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