A Daily Routine for Dry, Gritty Eyes That Costs Almost Nothing

Morning: warmth and lid hygiene

• Apply a warm compress to closed lids for several minutes to soften the oils in the meibomian glands.
• Follow with a gentle lid margin clean using a product or method your clinician recommends.
• Avoid vigorous rubbing; the goal is to clear the lid margin, not to scrub the eye.

During the day: blinking and air

• Complete your blinks. Rapid partial blinking during screen work leaves the lower cornea exposed.
• Take deliberate breaks from sustained near work to reset both focus and blink rate.
• Redirect desk fans and air vents away from your face.
• Consider a humidifier where indoor air is dry.
• Use preservative-free lubricating drops if you need them more than a few times a day.

Evening: reduce the load

Remove eye makeup thoroughly, particularly anything applied along the lash line, which sits directly over the gland openings. Give contact lenses a break before bed rather than wearing them until the last moment.

When a routine is not enough

Persistent redness, pain, light sensitivity, discharge or blurred vision that does not clear with blinking needs a professional assessment. Dry eye has several distinct causes, and treatments such as prescription anti-inflammatory drops or in-office gland therapy exist for cases that do not respond to home care.