What Should You Do If You Wake Up With Dry Eye?

Dry eye is a condition that happens when your eyes can’t produce enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly. It can lead to redness, pain, or a burning sensation in your eyes. To help you avoid discomfort, this article will teach you the best way to treat dry eyes.

What Should You Do About Waking Up With Dry Eyes?

The first treatment step is to identify the cause of your dry eyes. You can get this information by visiting your eye doctor and taking an eye exam. When discussing your issue, tell them about any medications and nutritional supplements you are taking.

Depending on your situation, your doctor might recommend any of these treatment options:

Artificial Tear Drops

You can get over-the-counter eye drops that can lubricate your eyes. Your doctor might also suggest a heavier ointment, which you can use during sleep.

Thermal Pulsation

If the glands producing oil in your tears are blocked and causing dry eyes, your doctor could recommend a thermal pulsation system. This system can heat and massage the blockage to remove it.

Punctal Occlusion

This procedure involves closing the duct that removes tears from your eyes (punctum).

Home Remedies For Dry Eyes

There are multiple dry eye treatments that you can try at home, including:

Washing Eyelids

To deal with inflammation, use warm water and mild soap to gently massage near the base of your eyelashes on your closed eyes.

Warm Compresses

Applying a warm compress on your eyes can assist in unclogging oil-producing glands. To begin, soak a clean washcloth with warm water and gently press it against your eyelids. You can do this multiple times a day for a week or two.

Air Filter

Air filters can limit the amount of dust and airborne irritants that promote dry eyes.

Using a Humidifier

By adding moisture to the dry air, especially during winter, you can stop your eyes from drying out.

Conclusion

Waking up with dry eyes can take away the positive feelings you get from a good night’s sleep. This is because the irritation can leave you feeling annoyed and frustrated. That said, you can try specific treatment options for dry eye at home, such as washing your eyelids or using a warm compress.

If your discomfort doesn’t reduce after a few days, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor for an eye exam and a recommended treatment plan.