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Dealing with irritated eyes can be a pain. The symptoms are pretty common in the U.S! Waking every morning with burning, itchy, red eyes that are overly sensitive to light is no fun, so we're here to give you a few tips to help support your eye health when this occurs.
If the symptoms are intermittent or associated with a changing season or new activities in your life, then make some lifestyle adjustments based on what you think may be causing the problem. If that doesn’t help within a few weeks, see an eye care specialist.
If, however, the symptoms have been with you for a while, or you know the reason for them because you have a diagnosis from an eye doctor, then do some research or check with your optometrist about possible treatments or lifestyle changes that might lessen the effects.
If you didn’t know already, eyelid inflammation is often caused by staph, which is a bacterial infection on the eyelids. As the body tries to fight the infection, toxins are released into the system and those toxins often try to exit the system through the eye tissues. At night, when your eyes are shut, the toxins build up on your eyelids and cause extreme irritation and pain on the surface of your eyes. Thankfully, there are simple things you can do to support healthier eyelids.
1. Drink a full glass of water just before you go to bed, and keep a bottle of water near your bed to enjoy if you wake during the night. This will hydrate your entire system, which may help your eyes stay lubricated longer. Don't forget to drink an entire glass of water right when you wake up as well. We recommend keeping a reusable water bottle, such as this one, with you at all times throughout your day. Fill it with filtered water and enjoy. You should be drinking at least half your body weight in ounces of water per day, so if you weigh 150 pounds, that's 75 ounces of water you should be drinking each day. The reusable bottle will help remind you!
2. Keep your eyelids clean by using an eyelid cleanser before going to bed and upon waking up. We recommend the Heyedrate Lid and Lash Cleanser right when waking up and right before going to bed. Click here to check price and purchase on Amazon.
To use this spray, simply spray the solution onto a cotton ball or round before applying. There's no need to rinse this solution off.
3. Adjust the angle of any vents that are directed near your face. It could be that the air blowing from an air conditioner or heater is the cause of your dryness. Some people sleep with their eyes partially open, and that alone can contribute to dryness, but if you add the forced dry air into the equation, then it could amplify your symptoms. Be wary of overhead fans as well! If you just like the noise of the fan, purchase a white noise machine instead.
4. Try using an eye gel just before going to bed.These are better than artificial tears because they're much thicker. Apply the gel in a thin line just inside your lower eyelid and then close your eye and gently massage the eyelid to get full coverage over the surface of the eye (cornea). Most of these gels are thicker, so do it immediately before you go to bed, because the gel will make your vision very blurry. We recommend Refresh Celluvisc Preservative-Free. By doing this, you can help support the surface of the eyes while you sleep.
5.Cut down on computer screen time, TV viewing, and smartphone use two to three hours before you go to bed. When looking at such screens, it is easy to forget to blink enough. The blue light that back lights most screens can also be disruptive to your sleep, and fatigue aggravates eye irritation. Also grab a pair of blue light blocking glasses for protection. Click here to check prices .
6.Use a warm compress eye mask. We love a good eye mask, and a warm compress can really help support eyelids health. If you have eyelid inflammation or meibomian gland issues, you'll have stagnant oils that are stuck in your glands, unable to come out. By using a warm compress, you can heat up these oils and help them release onto the eyes. We recommend the Heyedrate Warm Compress Eye Mask and it's simple to use. Place it in the microwave for 20 seconds, test the temperature, and then place it over your closed eyes for 10-20 minutes. Do this both in the morning and the evening.
7. Remove your makeup before going to bed. We should not have to tell you this. However, there are still so many women who do not completely remove their makeup before bed. Makeup is a breeding ground for bacteria, and this can cause you to wake up with dry, red, irritated eyes. We love the Heyedrate Eye Makeup Remover Oil because it's free of harsh chemicals. Watch Dr. Jenna Zigler's Nightime Routine here.
8. Try an eye mask while sleeping. Many people sleep with fans on and either the heat or air conditioner running, and this can dry out your eyes as you sleep. In fact, there are many of you who sleep with your eyes open just a bit! To avoid drying out the surface of your eyes, try a sleeping mask or goggles. Simply place them on before you turn out the light and keep those eyes moistened all night long.
9. Practice gratitude and yoga. You may be thinking...really?! But yes, keeping a gratitude journal and writing down 3-5 things you're grateful for every single day can change your life. By focusing on the positive, you'll be constantly looking for things to be grateful for in your life. If you're unsure where to begin, check out this gratitude journalwhich helps you along the way. Besides this, yoga is a great wind-down tool to get in a little stretching and help you fall asleep more quickly. To make it super easy on yourself, buy a yoga mat and leave it right next to your bed.
After trying these changes, hopefully your eyes will feel more comfortable. If not, get in to see your primary eye care specialist.
We, Eye Love, LLC, are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. MediViz and Heyedrate branded products are made by our company, Eye Love, but we truly believe that our products are the best on the market! It is important to know that our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
