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Relieving Chronic Dry Eye

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9 Mistakes People With Dry Eye Make

Doctor William C Lloyd Healthgrades Medical Reviewer
Medically Reviewed By William C. Lloyd III, MD, FACS
Written By Jennifer Larson on June 18, 2021
  • portrait of African American woman looking away
    Have Dry Eye Syndrome? Avoid These Missteps
    Your eyes are irritated, red, itchy, gritty and feel oh-so-dry. They might even be painful. You have dry eye syndrome, and you’re eager to reduce the irritation and experience some relief. But could you be unintentionally sabotaging your own best efforts?
  • woman in bathroom looking at eyes in mirror
    Mistake #1: Ignoring Symptoms
    Don’t ignore dry eye if you have it, even if it’s just the early stages and not too severe. Dry eye syndrome is a progressive condition—that is, it will get worse over time. Talk to your healthcare provider and figure out the best way to manage your dry eye symptoms so you can avoid developing problems that are much harder to treat. If untreated, dry eye may lead to vision loss.
  • Annual eye exam by optometrist
    Mistake #2: Assuming There’s a Cure
    Unless there’s a reversible cause like the adverse effects of a medication, there’s no cure for dry eye. It’s a chronic condition. You can’t just take a pill or get a procedure done and never have to deal with it again. However, there are good management strategies that will bring you relief and allow you to function normally. Some people find good relief from non-prescription eye drops and eye gels, while others find they need a prescription-strength treatment.
  • Little blue pill
    Mistake #3: Taking Certain Medications
    Do you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis or depression? It’s possible the medications you’re taking for those conditions may be exacerbating your dry eye symptoms. Antihistamines and diuretics are also known culprits to make dry eye worse. Talk to your healthcare provider about all meds you’re taking and make sure you’re not taking any that are contributing to the problem. You might need to switch to a different drug.
  • Man using eyedrops
    Mistake #4: Using the Wrong Kind of Eyedrops
    They’re all small bottles of liquid that you squeeze into your eyes, right? How different could they be? Think again. Some eyedrops contain harsh chemicals that can really irritate your eyes and make your dry eye symptoms much worse. Some contain preservatives that might further irritate your eyes, so be sure to let your doctor know if your eyedrops are making your eyes feel worse.
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  • woman driving car looking out window
    Mistake #5: Getting Too Much Air Exposure
    Do you love to drive around in your car with the windows down and the sunroof open? Does a ceiling fan cool your bedroom at night while you’re sleeping? Does the air-conditioning vent send a steady breeze of cool air right at your face?  All that air blowing around your eyes can contribute to your dry eye symptoms. Experts suggest minimizing these environmental factors so they don’t dry your eyes out even more.
  • Laser eye surgery
    Mistake #6: Getting Laser Eye Surgery
    Laser eye surgery is not a bad thing. But people who get laser eye surgery such as LASIK or PRK often develop symptoms of dry eye that can last for months after the surgery. If you already have dry eye, it might make your symptoms even worse. Talk to your ophthalmologist about the best ways to improve your vision that won’t also aggravate any dry eye symptoms you have.
  • rosacea on woman's face
    Mistake #7: Not Treating Any Underlying Diseases
    People with moderate dry eye might realize their symptoms improve when they are able to manage any underlying diseases or conditions they have. If you have rosacea, blepharitis of the eyelid, or certain autoimmune diseases, receiving the appropriate treatment for your condition may also help your dry eye symptoms.
  • Man smoking
    Mistake #8: Smoking
    Smoking harms your heart, your circulatory system, your lungs…and also your eyes. Tobacco smoke can irritate anyone’s eyes, but it can be especially problematic for people with dry eye. Smoke harms the lipid layer on your eye that keeps everything lubricated and prevents your tears from evaporating too quickly. If you smoke, please start making plans to stop.
  • woman look though window
    Mistake #9: Assuming the Long-Term Effects Are No Big Deal
    Dry eye can lead to vision loss. And vision loss can have a huge impact on your quality of life. Consider this statistic from the Journal of Opthalmology: your risk of falling is increased two-fold with mild vision loss and your risk of fracturing a hip increases four-fold. Plus, the rate of depression goes up with people who sustain even mild vision loss.
9 Mistakes People With Dry Eye Make
  1. Dry Eye. American Optometric Association. https://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/eye-and-vision-problems/glossary-of-eye-and-vision-condition...
  2. Facts About Dry Eye. National Eye Institute. https://nei.nih.gov/health/dryeye/dryeye
  3. Goldman H. The Fix for Dry Eyes. Harvard Health Letter. Harvard Medical School. http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-fix-for-dry-eyes-2017021011090
  4. Seven Tips for Battling Dry Eye. American Academy of Ophthalmology. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/dry-eye-tips
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Last Review Date: 2021 Jun 18
THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911.