A site for sore eyes
Dry, sore eyes are a common and very frustrating problem. It's a good idea to see an eye specialist if your discomfort is not settling down, but there are a few things you can try first. I wrote this article to help patients get some relief before they see me. And if your problem improves before the appointment – that’s even better!
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Important disclaimer: This is a list of treatments that can be effective for certain minor eye conditions that have been correctly diagnosed by an eye health professional. This is not a replacement for personal medical advice.
Every month I see dozens of patients who are driven crazy by uncomfortable eyes, day in, day out. Most of the time these symptoms are due to a minor eye condition such as dry eye disease, blepharitis, or allergy.
Helping problems like these is a normal part of comprehensive eye care. Most of the advice I give involves simple remedies using techniques and treatments that can be performed at home or bought over-the-counter.
This article was written as a point of reference to my patients but I’m making it available to everyone, in case it can help them with their own situation.
Lubricating eye drops & gels
Also called artificial tears, tear replacements, and dry eye drops, these products are found over-the-counter at most chemists. They aren’t medications, but they are specially formulated for your eyes. The key points are:
Drop, gel, or ointment?
Drops: thin & watery, with almost no negative effect on vision but needing to be put in more frequently
Gels: slightly stickier than drops, blurring vision for 1-2 minutes initially before melting into your tear film. Longer-lasting relief compared with drops
Ointments: thick & waxy, providing extremely effective and long-lasting relief with the drawback of making your eyes quite sticky and blurry. Best used just before bed.
Preservative-free lubricants: often more expensive, but useful to reduce irritation if you’re using them more than 5 times a day
Artificial tears can be used as little or as often as you like. Start with three times a day, and use more or less as needed
Artificial tears can sting when you first use them. This is normal, and as you use them for a few days your ocular surface will improve and they will sting less or not at all.
There are many different brands, but no single brand is best for everyone – try different types and find what works best for you
Eyelid care
The margins of your eyelids (where the eyelashes grow from) are home to dozens of tiny oil-producing glands called Meibomian glands. These oils stabilise the tear film, preventing tears from evaporating and allowing them to hug the surface of your eye.
One very common condition causing sore eyes is blepharitis. In blepharitis, the Meibomian glands produce oils that are abnormally thick, causing blockages which lead to inflammation and dry eye symptoms.
“Eyelid care” refers to two simple steps you can do at home to break the cycle of blepharitis.
Perform eyelid care every night, expecting at least two weeks of regular practice before you see results.
Step 1, warm compress: Close your eyes and apply heat to your eyelids, using a warm towel or heat pack. The heat should be very warm but not uncomfortable. The heat melts the oils in your Meibomian glands, breaking down blockages.
Step 2, eyelid massage: Use a clean finger or damp cotton bud to firmly massage the eyelid towards the eyelid margin. For the upper lids this means massaging downwards, and for the lower lid massaging upwards. Avoid pressing backwards onto the eye itself.
This YouTube video (credit: Joseph Allen) does a great job of demonstrating good eyelid care.
The importance of good nutrition
Increasing evidence points to inflammation as the root cause of dry eye, blepharitis, allergy, and many other conditions that are responsible for sore eyes. Omega-3 fatty acids have an anti-inflammatory effect and can improve symptoms of dry eye and blepharitis.
While omega-3 fatty acids are involved in good ocular surface health, the best evidence is for omega-3 supplements that provide more omega-3 fatty acids than a person could get from diet alone. Lacritec is an oral supplement that contains the ideal combination of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for ocular surface health.
Which foods are high in omega-3?
- Oily fish (e.g. salmon, mackerel, sardines, anchovies)
- Flax seeds
- Chia seeds
- Walnuts
- More: dietary sources of omega-3 fatty acids (wikipedia)
(A quick note about omega-6 fatty acids: most Western diets contain too much omega-6, but one subtype of omega-6 called gamma linolenic acid, GLA, has anti-inflammatory effects and is found in the Lacritec supplement).
What if you’re still having problems?
If you’ve tried all of the above and you’re still having problems, give me a call on 8326 6900 to book a specialist appointment.