7 Habits That Could Be Making Your Dry Eyes Worse


Have you tried every eye drop on the market, yet your eyes still feel dry and irritated? Maybe you’ve even seen an eye doctor and received prescription treatments, but nothing seems to work. If this sounds familiar, it could be because of certain habits that many of us overlook. In this article, we’ll explore seven common habits that may be worsening your dry eyes and provide tips on how to fix them.

1. Excessive Screen Time

A lot of my patients who suffer from dry, irritated eyes share a common lifestyle habit—excessive screen use. Research shows that we blink less often when focused on digital screens, and when we do blink, we often don’t blink fully. This leads to more exposure to open air, causing the tear film on our eyes to evaporate faster.

Tip: Make an intentional effort to reduce your screen time. Take regular breaks and blink consciously to help maintain moisture in your eyes.

2. Neglecting Your Environment

Your surroundings play a significant role in eye dryness. Outdoor wind, indoor air conditioning, heating, and even humidity can all contribute to dry eyes.

Tip: Wear wrap-around sunglasses outdoors to protect your eyes from wind. Indoors, adjust fans, air conditioning, or heating vents to point away from your face. Consider using a humidifier in your living spaces, and be mindful of allergens that could be making your symptoms worse.

3. Poor Eyelid Hygiene

When we examine eyelids under a microscope, it’s common to see a buildup of skin oils, dead skin cells, and even tiny mites that live in the eyelash follicles. This buildup can lead to eyelid inflammation, known as blepharitis, which can block oil glands in the eyelids and worsen dry eye symptoms.

Tip: Clean your eyelids and eyelashes every 1-2 days with eyelid wipes or cleansers. Keeping your eyelids clean can prevent irritation and buildup.

4. Using the Wrong Eye Drops

There are countless artificial tears and eye drops on the market, but not all are created equal. Many people unknowingly choose eye drops that can make dry eyes worse. For example, "get the red out" drops contain additives that constrict blood vessels to reduce redness but can cause rebound redness and irritation.

Tip: Avoid drops with preservatives like benzalkonium chloride (BAK), which can be toxic to the eye's surface. Opt for preservative-free drops or those with milder preservatives.

5. Sleeping with Your Eyes Slightly Open

Many people wake up with dry eyes because they unknowingly sleep with their eyes slightly open. This chronic exposure during the night can prevent proper healing.

Tip: Consider using thicker eye gels or ointments at night. You can also try sleep masks or special eyelid tape to keep your eyes closed while you sleep.

6. Ignoring Underlying Health Conditions

Certain health conditions like autoimmune disorders, diabetes, rosacea, and hormonal imbalances can exacerbate dry eye symptoms.

Tip: If you have any of these conditions, ensure they are well-managed. Keeping these conditions in check may help prevent flare-ups of dry eye symptoms.

7. Poor Diet Choices

What you eat can significantly impact your eye health. For example, alcohol can trigger inflammation and worsen dry eye symptoms. I recently indulged in pizza and beer, and the next morning, my eyelids and face were swollen and puffy—a clear sign that diet matters.

Tip: Be mindful of your diet and how it affects your eyes. For more information on the impact of diet on dry eyes, check out the live stream I recorded on this topic.

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