Soothing Strategies: What to Do for Dry Eyes

If you’ve ever dealt with the nuisance of dry eyes, you know it’s no small matter. It’s like the Sahara Desert decided to take up real estate on your face. I’ve been on that gritty ride, folks. It all started in my 20s – a wild hormonal rollercoaster that left me with skin as temperamental as a toddler denied candy. Enter Accutane, my skin-clearing hero that was a bit of a double-edged sword. While it gave me back my smooth skin, it traded it in for something else – eyes so dry they could single-handedly supply the world’s sandpaper industry. Since then, I’ve been on a mission to answer the burning question: “What to do for dry eyes?” From professional treatments to tried-and-true home remedies, I’m here to share the arsenal that’s brought me relief.

Decoding Dry Eye Disease: The Invisible Irritant

Before tackling the problem, we need to understand our enemy. Dry eye disease is a sneaky beast. It affects your daily life, your ability to work, and can even dim the joy of life’s simplest pleasures. But, as I’ve learned, knowledge is power—especially when it comes to eye health. I’ve seen regular eye doctors my entire life, I’ve worn glasses since First Grade and contacts since Third Grade. However, when my dry eyes became such a problem that they were affecting me on a daily basis, I finally did some research and made an appointment with a dry eye specialist. I was diagnosed with Severe Dry Eye Syndrome from Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD). Dry Eye Syndrome is a legit medical diagnosis, and there is no cure for it. However, with the latest advances in technology and numerous products and treatments on the market, you no longer have to live with such horrible discomfort.

My Tactical Trio: Miboflow, Lipiflow, and Punctal Plugs

My journey led me to three eye-opening procedures, each offering its unique form of relief:

Miboflow: This procedure gets down to business, supplying continuous controlled heat to the outer skin of the eye lids along with ultrasound gel for a gentle massage. The heat is absorbed deep into the tissue and breaks down the hardened lipids in the meibomian glands. Unclogging those essential oil glands in your eyelids is crucial for healthy tear film. Many patients benefit from one treatment alone, though I had 3 of them, each two weeks apart. I definitely felt the immediate relief, however without using any kind of heat therapy on my eyes at home, I think the benefits would have worn off fairly quickly.

Lipiflow: Think of it as a spa day for your eyes. While Miboflow works on the outside of your eyelids,  Lipiflow uses controlled heat and pressure to give your meibomian glands a much-needed massage from the inside of your eyelids- again promoting the flow of natural oils. Since this is a little more invasive, the results can last longer, up to 12 months, however it is also more expensive. Again, I did feel some relief from this procedure, but over time the effects wore off and my eyes were very dry again.

Punctal Plugs: Tiny but mighty, these plugs are inserted into the tear ducts to slow down the drainage of tears, keeping your eyes moist for longer. It’s like putting a plug in a sink – simple yet effective. I’ve actually only had these in for a little over a month now, but they have helped tremendously. I would suggest trying this route first if you know you have dry eye disease.

My Homefront Strategy: Products for Daily Dry Eye Defense

The journey doesn’t end with in-office procedures. Here’s my go-to lineup for daily defense against dry eyes:

Relief-Bringing Eye Drops: After experimenting with a myriad of products, I found a few eye drops that offer that sweet, sweet relief. They’re like a refreshing rain for parched peepers.

Best Eye Drop for use WITH contacts: iVIZIA Sterile Lubricant Eye Drops

Best Eye Drop for use WITHOUT contacts: Refresh Relieva PF Eye Drops

Best Eye Drop for Redness Relief: Bausch+Lomb Lumify Redness Reliever Eye Drops

Warm Compresses: A classic approach that stands the test of time. A heated eye mask or compress can help release the oils in your eyelid glands, which is essential for a healthy tear film. Here are the top two masks I recommend.

The Bruder Mask just needs nuked in the microwave for approximately 20 seconds then apply it to your eyes for 10 minutes. The Renpho Eye Massager with Heat is probably one of my favorite products. This mask not only provides a heat compress, it also gives you an amazing massage relaxing deep muscles, temples, and eye areas. I like to use this right before bed or in the morning before I get out of bed. (It’s also excellent for migraines or hangover headaches…just sayin’.😜)

Omega-3 Supplements: These supplements have been a game-changer, reducing inflammation and providing systemic support for eye moisture. They don’t just soothe dryness; they help combat it from the inside out. I take the EyePromise EZ Tears Eye Vitamins daily.

Devices: Use the NuLids Dry Eye Relief Therapy Device on closed eyelids to free clogged meibomian glands. This handheld massager helps produce natural lubrication, reduces symptoms like itching, burning, excessive tears, redness, and puffiness. It even stimulates eyelash growth! I use this every morning before I put my contacts in. It really helps me get the “eye boogers” out and clear up my eyes before inserting anything into them.

Final Thoughts: A Vision of Relief

My journey with dry eyes has been anything but smooth, but it’s taught me resilience, patience, and the importance of self-care. I’ve been through the wringer with treatments and products, and while I can’t say I’ve found the holy grail of cures, I’ve managed to gather a trove of remedies that keep me functioning like the boss mom I am. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but there’s certainly a path to improvement and comfort. I would love to hear what has worked for you and if you find any of my recommendations helpful! Here’s to happy healthy eyes!👀💕