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Thirty million Americans suffer from dry eye symptoms such as blurry vision, scratchy or watery eyes.

Did you know that too much time spent looking at your smartphone, computer or TV can lead to symptoms of dry eye?

If you are having blurry vision, gritty, scratchy or watery eyes, you might be one of the 30 million Americans with dry eye. And for a majority of those people, a complex disorder called Meibomian Gland Dysfunction is a root cause of dry eye symptoms.

"While dry eye is more prevalent in older people, more young people are being diagnosed due to increased screen time, diet and other factors. There are many causes for dry eye, but it is important to understand conditions like Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and how to best find relief for symptoms," said Dr. Whitney Hauser, optometrist and "The Dry Eye Coach."

Follow these tips to help ease the discomfort of dry eye and to determine if you need to talk to your eye doctor if symptoms persist and become more severe:

1. Take breaks from your devices

It is easy to lose track of screen time when the new normal includes relying on digital devices for everything from staying connected to your family, working and even ordering household necessities.

Be sure to take breaks to give your eyes a rest and, most importantly, don't forget to blink. Failing to blink regularly can contribute to drying out your eyes, so try following the 20/20/20 rule; look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes while reading or staring at devices and computers for prolonged periods of time.

2. Make small changes to your lifestyle

Taking care of your eyes in a variety of ways can help keep dry eye symptoms at bay. Small changes like wearing sunglasses outdoors to reduce exposure to wind and the sun, properly cleaning your contact lenses before inserting them if you wear weekly or monthly lenses, using a humidifier in your home and staying hydrated can help reduce dry eye symptoms.
3. Use an over-the-counter eye drop for relief

Over-the-counter dry eye drops are a great option to replenish the eye's natural moisture, especially for people with mild symptoms. One example, Systane Complete, can be used for the temporary relief of burning and irritation, and provides fast relief. This can be a convenient option because you can take it with you and alleviate symptoms no matter where you are.

4. Make an appointment with your eye doctor

If you're having persistent visual fluctuations, irritation, watery eyes and dryness, you might have a condition called Meibomian Gland Dysfunction. Consider making an appointment with an eye doctor to discuss in-office treatments like the Systane iLux. This device delivers direct and personalized treatment to blocked glands in your eyelids in just 8-12 minutes for both eyes.

For more information on Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, visit www.GetToRootCause.com.

Dr. Hauser is a paid consultant for Alcon.

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