Home Remedies for Dry Eye Care

IPL and RF therapy aim to reduce your reliance on eye drops by improving your eyes' natural ability to produce high-quality tears; there are also effective at-home remedies you can incorporate into your treatment plan between your in-office treatment visits. Simple practices like warm compresses, proper eyelid hygiene, and hydration can complement your therapy, helping to accelerate the healing process and further alleviate dry eye symptoms.

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  1. Microwavable Warm Compress Eye Mask (10 minutes)

    • Heat the eye mask according to the manufacturer’s instructions, typically about 20-25 seconds in a microwave. Ensure that the mask is hot enough to provide therapeutic heat, but not so hot to cause discomfort or burn the skin. Once heated, apply the mask over your closed eyelids and relax for 10 minutes to allow the heat to effectively soothe your eyes.

  2. Lid massage (2 minutes)

    • After adequately warming the glands in your eyelids with the compress, use your index finger, positioned horizontally, to roll upwards along the lower eyelid margin gently. This action helps to express the oils from the glands. Start from the inner corner of the eyelid, move to the middle, and finish at the outer corner, applying this technique for about one minute. Apply pressure only to the eyelid, avoiding direct pressure on the cornea. The pressure should be firm enough to mobilize the oils without causing pain or indenting the eye.

    • Repeat with your upper lid but with your eyelids closed, looking down.

  3. Eyelid cleaning (1 minute)

    • Following the eyelid massage, you may notice a temporary cloudiness in your vision due to the oils expressed on the eye surface; this is a normal response. Use a disposable lid wipe or apply a lid & lash cleanser to a cotton round to cleanse the eyelids. With your eyes closed, gently swipe from the inner to the outer edge of each eyelid. For the lower eyelid, look upwards while keeping your eyes closed, and for the upper eyelid, look downwards, ensuring a thorough and gentle cleaning.

      • Our favorite eyelid wipes are by TearRestore. You can find them at Target, Walmart, and online at Amazon or Dry Eye Rescue. You can also purchase directly from their website with a 50% coupon code: CLEANSER50 for 50% off your first box.

  4. Eye drops

    • Place a drop of preservative-free artificial tears in your eyes to help lubricate and clearn out an residual oils affecting your vision.

    • We recommend preservative-free tears as preservatives in some tear bottles can irritate the eye.

Specific Night-time considerations

Night-time ointments

  • Night-time ointments are thick and viscous treatments that can significantly alleviate dry eye symptoms by providing substantial, long-lasting lubrication. Because these ointments blur vision, they should be applied just before sleep, allowing them to soothe and hydrate the eyes overnight without interfering with daytime activities.

Night-time sleep mask

  • Special night-time goggles can be highly beneficial for individuals with dry eyes, especially if their eyelids do not fully close during sleep. This hydrating nighttime mask creates a moisture-rich environment that shields the eyes from drafts and low humidity, while also preventing air leaks from CPAP machines, thereby enhancing comfort and reducing dry eye symptoms overnight.

  • Recommended: Eyeseals 4.0 Hydrating Sleep Mask

Dry Eye Rescue Discount Code 20% off single-use code - IEC20

Nutrition for Dry Eye & Supplements

When experiencing dry eye symptoms, patients have various options to explore, including adjustments to their nutrition, dietary changes, and the incorporation of specific supplements. Along with in-office treatments, nutrition can help alleviate symptoms by improving tear quality and reducing inflammation, contributing to overall eye health and comfort.

  • Incorporate foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fatty fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts, which can reduce inflammation and improve tear quality.

  • Increasing your intake of hydrating fluids and foods high in water content like cucumbers, celery, and watermelon can also help maintain hydration levels, supporting tear production.

  • Incorporating antioxidant-rich foods like leafy greens, berries, and carrots can protect eye health and potentially reduce dry eye discomfort.

Dietary Considerations

  • High-quality omega-3 fatty acids support dry eye health by enhancing the oil film from the meibomian glands, thus reducing tear evaporation and maintaining eye comfort. Many studies recommend a daily intake of about 1000-2000 mg.

  • Omega-3 fatty acids are found in both animal and plant sources, including fatty fish like salmon and mackerel, which are rich in EPA and DHA, as well as plant-derived algal oil and seeds like flaxseeds and chia, which provide ALA. Additional sources include krill oil and perilla oil, offering various options to incorporate these beneficial fatty acids into diverse diets.

  • Recommended brands

    • Nordic Naturals ProOmega2000

    • PRN DE3 *note, this product is not included in any Dry Eye Rescue discounts

Omega-3 Supplements

Blinking Exercises

Blinking spreads tears across the eye and also releases oils from the meibomian glands to prevent evaporation between blinks. Inadequate or partial blinking can lead to dry spots on the lower eye surface and stagnant oil distribution. Blink exercises are crucial as they encourage more complete and frequent blinking, enhancing oil expulsion from the glands.

Consistently combining IPL+RF treatments with blink exercises, ideally four times daily, can improve oil quality. Integrating this practice with existing routines, like before or after meals, can help maintain consistency and effectiveness.

Close both eyes gently, hold for two seconds, then open them. To monitor your blinking technique, lightly place a finger on the bone at the outer corner of one eye. You should feel minimal muscle movement during a normal blink.

After opening your eyes, close them gently again, pause for two seconds, then forcefully squeeze your eyelids together as tightly as you can, for two seconds. Open your eyes and repeat this sequence 3x for one session. Repeat 4x a day to help train your eyes to blink.

In-Office Services

  • Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

    Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses controlled light pulses to target inflammation and improve meibomian gland function in patients with dry eye disease. Originally developed for skin treatments, IPL has been adapted to help those with chronic dry eye by reducing bacterial load, abnormal blood vessels, and inflammatory markers around the eyelids. This approach aims to improve tear stability, relieve symptoms, and prevent further gland damage, offering a more lasting solution than eye drops alone.

  • Radio Frequency (RF)

    Radio Frequency (RF) therapy is an advanced treatment for dry eye that uses gentle, controlled heat to stimulate the meibomian glands and improve oil flow in the tear film. By applying RF energy to the eyelids, this therapy helps restore healthy gland function, reduce inflammation, and enhance tear stability. It's particularly beneficial for patients with meibomian gland dysfunction, as the heat encourages natural oil production, alleviating dryness and discomfort. RF treatment is non-invasive, comfortable, and promotes long-term relief for dry eye symptoms.

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