Overview
- Dry indoor heating, drafts, and rapid shifts between cold outdoors and warm rooms speed evaporation and strain the eye’s surface.
- Extended screen time reduces blinking, leaving the eye less coated and intensifying irritation.
- Common signs include itching, burning, redness, blurred vision, and reflex tearing that can mislead sufferers.
- Self-care steps include deliberate blink breaks, regular ventilation or humidifiers, and wearing glasses outside to shield from drafts.
- Over-the-counter tear substitutes differ by formulation to support either the oily or watery layer, and patients should seek an eye exam if daily activities are impaired because some cases need prescription drops.