Fall is such a beautiful time of year, but for many people, the season also brings uncomfortable dry eyes. If you’ve noticed that your eyes feel drier as the seasons change, you might be dealing with seasonal dry eye. So, why does this happen, and how can you find relief? 

Why dry eye gets worse in the fall 

Several factors make dry eye more noticeable in the fall: 

• Cooler, drier air: As humidity drops, the air becomes drier, causing tears to evaporate faster and leaving your eyes feeling dry.  
• Indoor heating: When we turn up the heat to stay warm, it also dries out the air in our homes. Less moisture in the air means drier eyes. 
• More screen time: When it’s colder out, we tend to spend more time inside and in front of our screens. Unfortunately, staring at screens makes us blink less, which means our eyes aren’t getting the moisture they need. 
• Fall allergens: Ragweed and mold are common fall allergens that can trigger eye irritation. And if your eyes are already dry, this can make things even worse. 

How to relieve dry eyes this fall

Even though you can’t stop the seasons from changing, there are steps you can take to keep your eyes comfortable: 

• Run a humidifier: This can help add moisture to the air in your home, reducing dryness. 
• Stay hydrated: Drinking water supports tear production, which is key for keeping your eyes moist. 
• Take screen breaks: Remember to follow the 20-20-20 rule which says to look away from your screen every 20 minutes for 20 seconds at something 20 feet away. 
• Use artificial tears: Eye drops lubricate your eyes and provide quick relief. 
• Wear sunglasses: Wearing sunglasses shields your eyes from the wind and sun to prevent further irritation. 

When to see an eye doctor 

If you’ve tried at-home remedies and your eyes still feel dry, irritated, and uncomfortable, it’s important to visit an eye doctor for a proper diagnosis. Dry eye can have several underlying causes, and without the right treatment, it could lead to more serious issues like eye infections or damage to the cornea (the front surface of your eye). At Progressive Family Eye Care, our eye doctor is an expert in diagnosing dry eye and offering advanced treatments to give you long-term relief. 

Here’s when it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment: 

• Persistent dryness or discomfort: If your eyes feel dry, gritty, or irritated for more than a few days despite using eye drops or other treatments, it’s a sign that the problem may not go away on its own. A comprehensive eye exam can help identify the cause and the best course of action. 
• Sensitivity to light: If your eyes become increasingly sensitive to light (known as photophobia), your tear film may not be doing its job of protecting your eyes. 
• Red, inflamed eyes: Redness and inflammation can point to more serious forms of dry eye that may need medical treatment to avoid long-term damage. 
• Blurred vision: Dry eye can cause fluctuating or blurry vision due to an uneven tear film. This is not only uncomfortable but can also affect your daily activities like reading or driving. 
• Excessive tearing: It may sound surprising, but dry eyes can lead to watery eyes as your body tries to compensate by producing more tears. These tears, however, are often of poor quality and don’t properly hydrate the eyes. 

Advanced treatment options at Progressive Family Eye Care 

At Progressive Family Eye Care, our team will assess your symptoms and use state-of-the-art diagnostic tools to understand the full picture of your dry eye. Once we know what’s causing your discomfort, we can develop a customized treatment plan to provide lasting relief. 

Our treatment options include: 

• BlephEx®: This procedure thoroughly cleanses the eyelids to remove debris and bacteria that can block the oil glands, which are essential for healthy tear production. 
• iLux®: This innovative treatment targets the meibomian glands (the oil-producing glands in your eyelids) to improve your tear quality and prevent them from evaporating too quickly. 
• OptiLight IPL therapy: Using intense pulsed light (IPL), this therapy reduces inflammation and promotes healthy tear production, offering significant relief for those with more severe dry eye symptoms. 

With the right treatment, dry eye doesn’t have to be something you live with. Dr. DiPonio-Tulchinsky at Progressive Family Eye Care offers expert dry eye care in Plymouth, Michigan to help improve your quality of life and eye health. If you’re experiencing persistent dry eye symptoms, schedule an appointment online today.