If you live with dry eye, you may have noticed that your symptoms come and go. Your eyes can feel comfortable for weeks before the burning and grittiness return without much warning. Sometimes the reason is as simple as a long afternoon of screen time.
Most dry eye flare-ups start with a trigger, such as dry air, wind, screen use, allergies, or a change in your health, that dries out or irritates the surface of your eyes.
What Is a Dry Eye Flare-Up?
A dry eye flare-up is a temporary spike in symptoms that can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. They’re also surprisingly common. During a flare, you might notice some of these symptoms:
- A scratchy or gritty feeling, like something’s in your eye
- Stinging or burning
- Red eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurry vision that clears up when you blink
Your eyes may water more than usual, too. Irritated eyes can produce extra tears, but these tears don’t coat the surface well enough to ease the dryness.
Everyday Reasons Behind a Flare-Up
The air around you plays a big role in how your eyes feel. Dry air pulls moisture from the surface of your eyes, so flares often follow the weather and the seasons. Smoke, wind, allergens, and air vents pointed at your face can trigger symptoms.
Air conditioning in summer and indoor heating in winter lower the humidity in your home and office. Dry places like airplane cabins and high altitudes have the same effect, which is why long flights tend to bother people with dry eye.
Run a humidifier at home or at work, and aim your car vents toward your feet instead of your face. If you also have seasonal allergies, you may notice itching along with the dryness.
Daily Habits That Can Set Off Dry Eye
Small parts of your routine can add up over the day. When you focus on a screen, you blink less often, which gives your tears more time to evaporate. Use the 20-20-20 rule to give your eyes regular breaks: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Wearing your contact lenses longer than your optometrist recommends can leave your eyes feeling drier by evening. Switch to glasses for part of the day if you feel discomfort building.
Skipping your treatment can also bring symptoms back. If you stop your prescribed drops once your eyes feel better, a flare can follow. Keep using them as directed, even on days when your eyes feel fine.
How to Calm a Dry Eye Flare-Up at Home
Many flares settle down with a few changes at home. Start with lubricating eye drops, which can add moisture when your eyes feel raw. If you use drops several times a day, preservative-free artificial tears can be gentler on your eyes.
Hold a warm compress over your closed eyes for a few minutes. The heat can help soften the oils in your eyelid glands, which slows how fast your tears evaporate.
Drink plenty of water and try to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night. On windy days, wear wraparound sunglasses to keep the breeze off your eyes.
When to See an Optometrist About Dry Eye Flare-Ups
Home care can ease a lot of flares. Some need a closer look, though. Book an eye exam if you notice any of these:
- Your symptoms don’t improve after a few days of home care
- Flares keep coming back, even when you avoid your usual triggers
- Your vision stays blurry after you blink
- You have eye pain or strong sensitivity to light
Frequent flares can point to an underlying problem, like inflammation along the eyelids, that may need prescription drops or another treatment from your optometrist.
Find Out What’s Behind Your Dry Eye Flare-Ups
Keep a few notes on when your flares start, like after a long flight or a week of late nights at your desk. Those patterns can help point to the triggers that affect you most.
At Total Vision Terra Nova, our optometrists can take a close look at your tears and eyelids to help find out what’s setting off your flares. Book an appointment and let’s talk about keeping your eyes more comfortable. We’ll work with you on a plan that fits your eyes and your daily routine.
