3. Keep Fans and Air Vents Away From Your Face
4. Position Your Computer Screen Slightly Below Eye Level
Adjusting your screen may be something you typically associate with improving posture or avoiding neck pain, but it can make a difference for dry eye, too. Heyman recommends positioning the computer monitor slightly below eye level, which reduces how widely the eyes must remain open and may slow tear evaporation.
Other small screen adjustments may make visually demanding work more comfortable, too, she says. “Reducing glare, adjusting screen brightness, and increasing the font size can help reduce eyestrain during computer work,” says Heyman.
Making the screen and workstation easier on your eyes can even help prevent symptoms from worsening over the course of the day, says Bade.
5. Ask About Workplace Changes if You Need Them
For people with more significant dry eye, workplace accommodations that reduce tear evaporation or visual strain may make it easier to do their jobs comfortably, says Bade.
Depending on the job, those changes might include more frequent visual breaks, adjustments to the workstation, moving away from direct airflow, increasing humidity, or using specialized eyewear, she says.
“The best workplace accommodations are those that reduce tear evaporation and visual strain,” says Bade. What helps most will depend on the person’s particular job duties and the conditions that tend to trigger their symptoms, she says.
You can find out more about asking for accommodations at work by reaching out to experts for free, confidential advice on asking for accommodations under the Americans With Disabilities Act from the Job Accommodation Network, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy, or checking out their online resources.
6. See an Eye Doctor if Dry Eye Is Interfering With Your Work
Dry eye symptoms that persist, repeatedly return, or interfere with work or other daily activities are a reason to schedule an eye examination, says Heyman.
That’s partly because symptoms that seem like dry eye can overlap with other eye problems, says Bade. A comprehensive eye exam can check your vision and eye health before a more focused dry eye evaluation looks at factors such as tear production, tear-film quality, symptoms, and workplace triggers, she says.
An eye exam is also an important step in choosing treatment options if over-the-counter measures aren’t doing enough, she says.
Potential treatments for dry eye, says Bade, include:
- Prescription Medications Prescription eye drops can reduce inflammation or help the eyes produce or retain more tears.
- Punctal Plugs Tiny plugs placed in the tear ducts slow tear drainage so tears stay on the surface of the eye longer.
- In-Office Procedures Treatments performed by an eye doctor can target blocked oil glands or inflammation that contributes to dry eye.
- Autologous Serum Tears These customized eye drops are made from a person’s own blood serum and may be used for more severe dry eye.
- Scleral Lenses These specialty contact lenses hold a reservoir of fluid over the cornea and cover more of the eye than regular contacts, helping keep the eye surface moist and protected.
The right treatment depends on the cause and severity of dry eye, she says.
Don’t ignore symptoms that are affecting the reliability of your vision at work, particularly if your job involves driving, operating machinery, healthcare, flying, or other visually demanding tasks, says Bade.
“If your eyes are becoming blurry between blinks, you are experiencing significant glare, light sensitivity, or visual fluctuations, or your symptoms are making it difficult to focus on detailed tasks, then your ability to perform certain jobs safely may be affected,” she says.
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