How to Prevent Dry Eye in the Winter Months

How to Prevent Dry Eye in the Winter Months

How to Prevent Dry Eye in the Winter Months

How to Prevent Dry Eye in the Winter Months

Millions of people suffer from dry eye syndrome. For these people, having dry eyes is more than an occasional irritation—it is a chronic problem. The condition occurs when the eyes fail to produce adequate or good-quality tears. 
 

Symptoms of dry eye include stinging, a scratchy sensation, burning, red eyes, sensitivity to light, and blurry vision. While some people experience symptoms all year round, the symptoms worsen during winter. 
 

Causes of Dry Eye
 

The eye needs a healthy tear film to retain moisture and remain well-lubricated. The combination of water, oils, mucus, and antibodies should be balanced. Sometimes, there is a problem with the glands around the eyes or a deficiency or imbalance in the system. 

In some cases, the tears evaporate too fast, failing to provide adequate lubrication. These factors cause dry eye conditions. Many people with dry eyes also have chronic swelling or inflammation of the tear glands that line the eyelids. It often causes chronic dry eye. 
 

Preventing Dry Eye in Winter 
 

Moisture in the air is reduced during the winter months, and indoor heating worsens the problem. There are several things you can do to prevent dry eye in winter. They include:
 

  • Using a humidifier to add moisture to indoor air.
  • Applying a warm compress over the eyelids to soothe the eyes.
  • Wearing protective eyewear outdoors to protect your eyes from the sun, wind, and glare. 
  • Taking breaks when using the computer.
  • Using eye drops or artificial tears.
  • Using autologous serum eyedrops made from the patient’s blood. 


Reasons to Use Autologous Serum 


Autologous serums are eyedrops made from an individual’s blood. The drops are custom-made for the patient. It means that, unlike artificial tears, they have all the nutrients needed to maintain a healthy tear film. They are the closest thing to real tears and contain essential immunoprotective proteins and biological nutrients. 
 

The serum contains vitamin A, lysozyme, fibronectin, and transforming growth factor-β. It effectively treats dry eye by reducing inflammation and promoting eye health. It must remain refrigerated during use. 

 

Results From Using Autologous Serum


Studies show that autologous serum drops work well for most people. It is hard to establish widespread efficacy as this is a highly individualized treatment. Without a standard formulation, it is hard to study effectiveness. 
 

Some prescriptions are more dilute than others, and people have unique blood components, making it complicated to compare results among individuals. However, the serum helps improve dry eye and is more effective than artificial tears. 
 

 

Drawbacks of Using Autologous Serum


Most people tolerate the serum well, and there are no known side effects. The fact that they are created from the patient’s blood means there is no risk of rejection. On the downside, a lack of preservatives means the serum can quickly become contaminated. Using contaminated drops can cause an eye infection. The serum must be refrigerated and used as prescribed. 


For some people, creating the serum with needles or getting their blood drawn can be a problem. The treatment is usually costly and is not covered by most insurance policies. 
 

Autologous serum drops can be used several times a day, depending on the severity of the dry eye. The doctor will check your eyes periodically to determine treatment progress. 
 

For more on preventing dry eye in the winter months, visit Gregor Eye Care at our Overland Park, Kansas office. Call (913) 685-0212 to schedule an appointment today.

Helpful Articles

EyePromise

Learn More
admin none 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Closed Closed optometrist # # # 9137423825 https://www.gregoreyecare.net/request-appointment.html