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Back to health libraryDiscover tips for dealing with dry eye
The gritty, burning discomfort of dry eye occurs when our eyes don’t make enough tears to keep them healthy and wet or when the tears don’t work well. If you have dry eye, your doctor may suggest treatments like artificial tears. There are also other things you might try.
EASE THE SYMPTOMS OF DRY EYE:
Avoid hair dryers. The air can dry your eyes.
Use a humidifier. Moist indoor air may help your peepers.
Keep the wind out of your eyes. Wear wraparound sunglasses when outdoors.
Drink more water—at least 8 daily cups.
Ask your doctor about omega-3s. Omega-3 fatty acids from food or supplements may be helpful for some people with dry eye.
Eye diseases don't always have symptoms at first. That's why getting comprehensive eye exams is important. Have a look at how regular eye exams can help keep you seeing clearly.
Reviewed 7/7/2025
Sources
- American Academy of Opthalmology. "What Is Dry Eye? Symptoms, Causes and Treatment." https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-dry-eye.
- American Optometric Association. "Dry Eye." https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-and-vision-conditions/dry-eye?sso=y.
- National Eye Institute. "Dry Eye." https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/dry-eye.