Are your eyes feeling more uncomfortable lately? If so, you may be suffering from dry eye disease, more appropriately termed ‘mask eye.’ An unfortunate side effect of wearing the masks is the flow of exhaled air out the top of the mask directly into your eyes. This direct exposure to air will cause the tears to evaporate off your eyes much quicker than normal, leaving the surface of your eyes exposed to the environment. Symptoms of ‘mask eye’ may include dryness, itching, burning, watering, stinging, inconsistent and blurred vision, tired eyes, and styes. If you feel like your mask is causing you any of these symptoms, consider these options to mitigate the issue:

• Get a mask with an adjustable upper rim and eliminate the gap between the top of the mask and your upper cheeks. This will force the air out of the bottom and sides of the mask rather than the top.
• Use artificial tear drops to help lubricate and protect your eyes.
• Use a beaded, moist heat mask once or twice daily. This will help relieve the discomfort and improve tear production.

 If you try these three remedies and still seem to be struggling, call us to schedule an evaluation. We can work with you to come up with a custom treatment plan. Check this link for more information on “mask eye.’  And remember, the mask is only temporary!