Is Your Environment Making Your Eyes Dry?

Dry eye disease is a common condition that can make even simple daily tasks uncomfortable. But did you know that your environment could be playing a bigger role than you realize in your symptoms? At Drs. Stein and Goldschneider, we believe understanding the causes of dry eye is the first step toward relief.
 

What Is Dry Eye Disease?

Dry eye disease occurs when your eyes either don’t produce enough tears or the tears they produce are of poor quality. Tears play a vital role in keeping your eyes lubricated, clear, and comfortable. When your eyes are unable to maintain the right balance of healthy tears, you may experience symptoms such as burning or stinging sensations, redness, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, a persistent feeling that something is in your eye, and even excessive tearing as your eyes attempt to compensate for dryness.
 

How Your Environment Can Exacerbate Dry Eye

Many environmental factors can worsen dry eye symptoms, often without you realizing it. Some of the most common include:

• Indoor Heating & Air Conditioning: Both can lower humidity and dry out the air, leading to quicker evaporation of your tears.

• Screen Time: Prolonged use of computers, tablets, or smartphones can reduce how often you blink, increasing dryness.

• Fans & Wind: Direct airflow from fans, car vents, or even outdoor wind can speed up tear evaporation.

• Pollution & Allergens: Exposure to smoke, dust, or airborne allergens can irritate your eyes and worsen dryness.

• Low Humidity: Environments with low moisture, such as airplanes or arid climates, can make dry eye worse.
   

What Can You Do to Manage Dry Eye?

While you can’t always control your environment, there are steps you can take to manage dry eye symptoms:

• Use a humidifier: Increasing the moisture in the air can help reduce tear evaporation indoors.

• Take breaks from screens: Practice the 20-20-20 rule; every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

• Wear sunglasses outdoors: Wraparound sunglasses can protect your eyes from wind and dry air.

• Stay hydrated: Drinking enough water supports overall eye health.

• Avoid direct airflow: Position fans and vents away from your face.

• Use artificial tears: Lubricating eye drops can help supplement your natural tears, but consult your doctor before choosing a product.
   

When to Consider Professional Dry Eye Treatment

If you’re consistently experiencing dry, irritated eyes despite making changes to your environment, it’s important to see an eye doctor. Identifying the underlying cause of your dry eye is essential for effective treatment. At Drs. Stein and Goldschneider, we offer comprehensive dry eye evaluations, including advanced options like TearCare®. This innovative therapy targets the meibomian glands and can offer long-term relief for patients with chronic dry eye.
 

Find Lasting Relief from Dry Eye Symptoms

Your environment plays a significant role in your eye comfort, but you don’t have to suffer in silence. Simple changes at home or work can help manage symptoms, but if your dry eye persists, professional evaluation is crucial. Effective, targeted treatments are available.
 

If you're struggling with dry, irritated eyes, contact Drs. Stein and Goldschneider to schedule a dry eye evaluation and find lasting relief with personalized care. Visit our office in Blackwood, New Jersey, or call (856) 408-1800 to book an appointment today.