Dry Eye Management

Help for Dry Eyes

Should you suffer from dry eyes and find that the problem seems to be getting worse, we are here to help at Mid-Michigan Eye Care. No matter the cause or severity of the dryness, we will do everything in our power to manage the condition and improve your eye comfort and vision. 


Dry eye is a condition that impacts millions of Americans. Whether it be due to aging, hormonal changes, inflammation, autoimmune disease, or medications, it is something that needs to be addressed. Symptoms include dryness, watering, itching, stinging/burning sensations, gritty sensations, and blurred vision. 


Upon seeing you for a visit at our office, we will determine if standard, over-the-counter eyedrops or artificial tears will be appropriate as the first line of therapy. If your symptoms are a bit more serious, we may decide to try other options that include medications. 


It will be a pleasure to assist with the dry eye issues you are having, and we will do everything in our power to have your eyes back to full health. Please reach out to us at your earliest convenience to schedule an appointment!

Should you suffer from dry eyes and find that the problem seems to be getting worse, we are here to help at Mid-Michigan Eye Care. No matter the cause or severity of the dryness, we will do everything in our power to manage the condition and improve your eye comfort and vision. 


Dry eye is a condition that impacts millions of Americans. Whether it be due to aging, hormonal changes, inflammation, autoimmune disease, or medications, it is something that needs to be addressed. Symptoms include dryness, watering, itching, stinging/burning sensations, gritty sensations, and blurred vision. 


Upon seeing you for a visit at our office, we will determine if standard, over-the-counter eyedrops or artificial tears will be appropriate as the first line of therapy. If your symptoms are a bit more serious, we may decide to try other options that include medications. 


It will be a pleasure to assist with the dry eye issues you are having, and we will do everything in our power to have your eyes back to full health. Please reach out to us at your earliest convenience to schedule an appointment!

Nutrition and Dry Eye Syndrome

Eating healthy supports all your body’s systems. Your eyes are no exception -- they need vitamins and minerals to ease your chance of having problems and protect your vision. If you’re looking to boost your eye health and help your dry eye symptoms, focus on these key nutrients.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Filling up on these can ease the scratchy, stinging irritation of dry eye. Specifically, omega-3s help soothe inflammation in your eyelids or on the surface of your eye. They may also help your tears do their job better.


An omega-3-rich diet helps glands in your eye called meibomian glands make the oily part of your tears. The oil helps keep your tears from drying up too quickly in your eye.


Fish is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. Go for one of these oily varieties at least twice a week:

  • Tuna (fresh, not canned)
  • Mackerel
  • Salmon
  • Sardines
  • Herring
  • Anchovies

You can also get omega-3 fatty acids from:

  • Nuts and seeds (like flaxseed)
  • Vegetable oil
  • Soybeans
  • Green, leafy vegetables

You may also need to take an omega-3 fatty acid supplement. Talk to your doctor about it before you try one.


Lutein and Zeaxanthin

These two antioxidants cut your odds of having many chronic eye diseases. Among other things, they help keep the cells in your eye healthy and working well. You can get them by eating eggs, corn, and leafy greens like:

  • Kale
  • Broccoli
  • Spinach
  • Collards

A supplement may help here, too. Still, talk to your doctor before you take one.

Addressing Environmental Factors With Dry Eyes

Factors Include:

  • Computer use — When working at a computer or using a smartphone or other portable digital device, we tend to blink our eyes less fully and less frequently, which leads to greater tear evaporation and increased risk of dry eye symptoms.
  • Contact lens wear — Though it can be difficult to determine the exact extent that contact lens wear contributes to dry eye problems, dry eye discomfort is a primary reason why people discontinue contact lens wear.
  • Aging — Dry eye syndrome can occur at any age, but it becomes increasingly more common later in life, especially after age 50.
  • Menopause — Post-menopausal women are at greater risk of dry eyes than men of the same age.
  • Indoor environment — Air conditioning, ceiling fans and forced air heating systems all can decrease indoor humidity and/or hasten tear evaporation, causing dry eye symptoms.
  • Outdoor environment — Arid climates and dry or windy conditions increase dry eye risks.
  • Frequent flying — The air in the cabins of airplanes is extremely dry and can lead to dry eye problems, especially among frequent flyers.
  • Smoking — In addition to dry eyes, smoking has been linked to serious eye problems, including macular degeneration, cataracts and uveitis.
  • Health conditions — Certain systemic diseases — such as diabetes, thyroid-associated diseases, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren's syndrome — contribute to dry eye problems.
  • Medications — Many prescription and nonprescription medicines — including antihistamines, antidepressants, certain blood pressure medications and birth control pills — increase the risk of dry eye symptoms.
  • Eyelid problems — Incomplete closure of the eyelids when blinking or sleeping — a condition called lagophthalmos, which can be caused by aging or occur after cosmetic blepharoplasty or other causes — can cause severe dry eyes that can lead to a corneal ulcer if left untreated.
  • Also, LASIK and other corneal refractive surgery can sometimes cause dry eyes. In most cases, however, dry eye discomfort after LASIK is temporary and resolves within a few weeks of the procedure.
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