Table of contents:
- Various ways to deal with dry eyes
- 1. Artificial tears
- 2. Increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids
- 3. Cyclosporine
- 4. Closing the tear holes (pungta)
Do you often experience symptoms such as a lump in your eye, red and watery eyes, or sensitivity to glare? Be careful, which means you are at risk for dry eyes. Dry eyes can happen to anyone, but people who are elderly (elderly) are more prone to experience it. As a remedy for dry eyes, your eye doctor may suggest the following four things, depending on your eye condition and your overall health.
Various ways to deal with dry eyes
1. Artificial tears
The first way to deal with dry eyes is to use artificial tears. This method can be applied to mild to severe dry eye disease. Artificial tears will usually be given in the form of drops, ointments, and gels.
These drugs work by increasing the moisturizing fluid (lubrication) in the eye and reducing the evaporation of tears, so that the eyes do not dry out easily. Eye drops are more often chosen because they are the easiest and most convenient to use. Medicines in the form of drops can be used up to 4 times a day, as directed by your doctor.
Meanwhile, drugs in the form of ointments or gels are recommended to be used at night only. This is because the texture is thicker and can blur vision.
Of the various choices of artificial tear medications available on the market, try to always use drugs that do not contain preservatives, especially for long-term use.
2. Increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids
The latest study in the journal Ophthalmology in 2013 found evidence that increasing consumption of omega-3 essential fatty acids for one month can help increase tear production and decrease evaporation. You can get omega-3 fatty acids in supplement form or through your daily diet.
Various types of foods that contain high amounts of omega-3 include:
- Green leafy vegetables
- Olive oil
- Tuna, salmon and sardines
- Nuts
- Linseed
- Omega-3 fortified eggs
- Avocado
3. Cyclosporine
Cyclosporine is an anti-inflammatory eye drop. This drug contains 0.05 percent cyclosporine and has only been used in moderate to severe dry eye disease.
This medicine is used as one drop every 12 hours (2 times a day). When used in conjunction with artificial tears, give a 15 minute break so that each medication can fully absorb into your eye.
The side effect that is most often felt is a burning sensation in the first week of using the drug. In general, the new progress will be felt after using it for about a month.
4. Closing the tear holes (pungta)
This procedure will be performed when the dry eye disease is severe enough. Pungta or tear ducts can be temporarily closed using silicone or collagen. Installation of the plug will be done by an ophthalmologist. Meanwhile, if it must be closed permanently, the doctor may use a laser or cautery.
Apart from the four ways to deal with dry eyes above, another thing that can also help to reduce symptoms of dry eye is lifestyle changes. For example by avoiding exposure to cigarette smoke, keeping the air around you moist (for example by using humidifieror humidifier), as well as limiting usegadgetwhich can cause eye fatigue.
