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Managing and Treating Dry Eyes for Summer in Phoenix

We’ve written about the uncomfortable effects of seasonal allergies, but what about the extreme dryness that can come with the summer months? If you live in Phoenix, dry eyes often feel like a part of life during the hottest times of the year. But you don’t have to suffer through this. Here’s some guidance about how to prevent dry eyes, along with which dry eye treatment could work for you.

Summer Is Drying

There are many causes of dry eye, like exposure to tobacco smoke or taking cold and allergy medicines. But in summer, extra exposure to sunlight is often what triggers more extreme dry eye symptoms in patients. The heightened concentration of UV rays, coupled with things like dust and chlorine or salt (from swimming in pools) make for a terribly drying combination. Add to this the fact that air conditioners are blowing like crazy in Arizona during the summer, and you have a recipe for maximum dryness.

Prevention Is Key

As with most uncomfortable eye conditions, your best chance of avoiding dry eye is by doing your part to prevent it. Here are some ways:

  • Always wear sunglasses with UV protection (and polarized, if possible)
  • Regularly use preservative-free artificial tears, whether your eyes feel dry or not
  • Stay hydrated - drink plenty of water and eat produce, which helps keep your eyes healthy from the inside out
  • Incorporate omega-3 fatty acids into your diet, through food and/or supplementation (see the research on this here)

 

Dry Eye Treatment Options

If you haven’t been able to prevent or treat dry eye with these methods, you may need to go a step further. It could be time to explore amniotic membrane treatments, which take amniotic tissue and help the eye heal and stay lubricated (we use VisiDisc by Skye Biologics). Read more about the procedure here.

Contact us today to ask about our exams or how you can get relief from dry eye today.