Ask the Experts- June 2024

Dear Red Hot Mamas,

I am 54, postmenopausal and starting to get dry eyes. Are there any self-help measures you can suggest? Thank you.

Colette

Dear Colette,

Thank you for following Red Hot Mamas and writing to us. The first thing you should do is to schedule an appointment with your eye doctor who will run some tests to determine exactly why your eyes are dry and recommend the best way to treat them.

Some self-help measures which you asked for include:

• Keep a dryness diary to see how often you are experiencing dry eyes and under what conditions may be causing this problem. For instance, pollution, air conditioning, overheated rooms, etc.
• Reduce your intake of caffeine which acts as a diuretic and increases your fluid intake.
• Be careful not to let soap or shampoo get into your eyes when showering.
• Try using a humidifier indoors.
• Take a break from your computer screen.
• Use hypoallergenic eye makeup.
• Try eating more omega-3 foods such as fatty fish and walnuts.
• Try artificial tears – over the counter preservative free artificial tears may provide relief

And, be sure to call your doctor if your dry eyes don’t respond to any of these self-help measures. You need to pay attention and get your dry eye issue taken care of.