More BrandsDry eyes are something that most lens wearers have experienced at one time or another, for a variety of reasons. One reason can be very dry weather or indoor heating, and another is looking for too long at one thing and forgetting to blink regularly. Make-up and eating habits also have a bearing on how your eyes feel, says optometrist Susan Resnick, as cited by health and beauty magazine Glamour.
As dry air is a very frequent cause of dryness in the eyes, using a humidifier at home or in the office is a smart move, as is switching your brand of lenses for one which provides more moisture to the eye, especially if you wear your lenses all day long.
Infrequent blinking is another bad habit that leads to dry eyes, taken that most of us spend long stretches of time sitting in front of a screen. Even reading a book can affect the moisture balance of the eye, so remind yourself to blink regularly. This is done by taking a couple of minutes off the reading or whatever you are doing, and deliberately looking at a more distant object and blinking five or six times. Also, remember to position your computer screen a couple of inches below eye level, ensuring for proper lid positioning and blinking.
Applying make-up is another thing to consider – avoid putting eyeliner on your inner lids. This is where the oil glands of the eyes are and blocking them will result in diminished lubrication and dryness. Non-waterproof and non-oily makeup is the best choice and cleaning it before going to bed at night is a must. While on the subject of cosmetics, creams and moisturisers should not be overused and you should be careful when applying them close to the eyes – avoid the edges of the eyelids to prevent the cream getting into your eyes, Resnick advises.
