Dry eye is a condition in which the eye remains dry due to less moisture. For example, the condition may occur if the eyes don’t produce enough tears or if they produce poor-quality tears. This tear instability triggers inflammation and damages the eye’s surface.

Types of dry eyes
There are two types of dry eyes based on what causes them. One is caused when the lacrimal gland, which makes tears, is unable to create enough moisture. Another type is when tears are unable to stick around long enough to hydrate the eye. The latter is called evaporative dry eye.

Let’s look at some treatment options to manage dry eyes.

1. Artificial tears
Artificial tears are a great way to manage the condition if you have moderate to severe dry eye. There is something called LACRISERT, which is a small eye insert, the size of a grain of rice, which is made of hydroxypropyl cellulose. This is placed between the lower eyelid and the eyeball. This cellulose slowly dissolves in the eyes, producing moisture for the eye.

2. Blood serum drops
If you have severe dry eyes and no other treatments are working for you, this method can be tried. Autologous blood serum drops are made out of your blood. The technicians take your sample of blood and remove the red blood cells from the mix and add the remaining residue to a salt solution.

3. Closing tear ducts
As the name suggests, this involves closing of the tear ducts either partially or completely, depending on your dry eye situation. Tiny silicone plugs are used to block the tear ducts so that there is less loss of tears from the eye. However, there is a more permanent surgery called thermal cautery, which uses heat to close the ducts.

4. Light therapy
For some people, an intense-pulsed light therapy and eyelid massage works wonders for their condition. This has helped many with severe dry eye conditions.

5. Warm washcloth
One of the reasons for dry eye is also inflammation to the eyelid, which does not allow for tears to spread properly in the eye. With this warm washcloth technique, the inflammation can be managed. Take a clean towel or a cloth and soak it in warm water. Hold this warm cloth or towel over your eyes for a couple of minutes. Repeat this for a couple of times till you feel some relief. Don’t forget to gently rubb your eyes with the wet cloth to clean them.

6. Mild soap
If you have a mild soap, always use that over any other harsh face wash to clean your eyes. Baby shampoo will also do the trick. You may also use a cleanser to massage the eyelids gently and wash them clean thoroughly to avoid any irritation to the eye.

Before trying any medications or remedies, it is important you speak to your doctor about a safe way to treat your dry eye at home. Make sure to be careful and not put any foreign object into your eyes.