How Do You Treat Dry Itchy Eyes?

Dry eyes are irritating. Itchy eyes are aggravating. But what do I do if my eyes are dry and itchy? While itchy eyes are usually exacerbated by specific allergens, dry eyes are a multifactorial condition meaning there may be several different factors contributing to your symptoms. Let’s start with the basic treatment options you can try at home with over-the-counter products. If that doesn’t work, follow up with your eye care specialist so they can take a further look at your eyes and prescribe specific treatment options if you’re not improving.
 

For itchy eyes, or allergic conjunctivitis, the key to stopping this from happening is to avoid the allergen, so you may need to seek further evaluation by an allergist if it occurs frequently. Here are a few things to try at home:

• Allergy eye drops. I recommend Pataday Extra Strength, usually dosed once per day in each eye. These drops help with the itching and redness and prevent those symptoms as well. If you can’t find that drop, I would try Lastacaft, Alaway, or Zaditor, and use as directed

• Oral antihistamine. Over-the-counter allergy medication such as Zyrtec, Claritin D, Xyzal, or Allegra

• Artificial tears, or over-the-counter eye drops. I recommend Refresh, Systane, or Blink and using those as needed to flush the eyes. Remember to avoid drops that get the red out like Visine, Clear Eyes, and Rhoto Z. These drops do not help with your symptoms and will only make your eyes redder over time and dependent on these drops

• Cold compresses. Adding cold to the eye lids will help calm down the itching sensation

• Avoid contact lenses when the eyes are itchy. Contact lenses will make your symptoms worse so remove them and wear your glasses instead

• Lid Hygiene. Certain eyelid conditions will cause itching around the lids and lashes. Try Ocusoft HypoChlor lid spray, Avenova, Optase eyelid cleansing spray (with tea tree oil and hyaluronic acid)

For dry eyes there are many factors that contribute to these symptoms, but here are a few things to try at home:

• Artificial tears, or over-the-counter eye drops. I recommend Refresh, Systane, or Blink. Using these at least 4 times a day or more if needed. You can use these as much as you need

• Warm compresses. Adding heat to the eyelids for 10mins a day can help unblock clogged oil glands, called meibomian glands, and stimulate the flow and expression of those oils which will coat your tears and keep them from evaporating. I recommend either a Bruder moist eye heat compress or Optase moist heat mask

• Omega 3’s. Taking an oral vitamin supplement can help breakdown inflammation and promote healthy tear production. Some are better than others when it comes to Omega 3’s. I recommend PRN De 3, HydroEye, MacuHealth TG Omega 3

• Stay Hydrated. Drink plenty of water throughout the day

• Humidity. Avoid dry air conditions or fans blowing directly at you. Add a humidifier to your space to increase air humidity

• Lid Hygiene. Certain inflammatory eyelid conditions can lead to dryness and discomfort. Try Ocusoft HypoChlor lid spray, Avenova, Optase eyelid cleansing spray (with tea tree oil and hyaluronic acid)

• Take frequent breaks from reading and digital devices.  When we are focusing intently, we blink ¼ of the time we normally do, and that can dry the eyes out quickly. Try taking a break every 20 minutes and looking away from your screen or closing your eyes and blinking
   

If your symptoms are not improving, worsening, or you have tried all the above and it’s just not working, come visit us today and we can come up with a treatment plan that is specifically tailored to address the root cause of your symptoms. Don’t wait for your symptoms to become a problem. Most of these issues can be easily treated in their early stages. The longer you wait, the longer it takes to feel relief, and the more difficult it is to undo the damage that has occurred. We have many options when it comes to treating dry and itchy eyes. Schedule an appointment with us today and we can get you back to normal, so you don’t have to worry about your eyes bothering you anymore.