Is Your Furnace Contributing To Dry Eye Disease?
It’s a fact that natural gas, forced air furnaces often worsen symptoms of dry eye disease. These furnaces blow air into your home while also reducing humidity levels.
Some things you can do to lessen the effects of indoor forced air heat include:
Install a humidifier on your furnace or add a portable one to your room (be sure to clean it daily to prevent bacteria)
Change your furnace filter monthly
Have your air ducts professionally cleaned
Install air deflectors on the vents so the air blows away from you
Turn down the furnace temperature to as low as your comfort will allow (higher furnace temperatures decrease indoor air humidity)
Use preservative-free, over-the-counter artificial tears. We offer our preferences here: OTC Products Recommended by our Physicians
If you cannot achieve comfort on your own, be sure to schedule an appointment with one of our eye doctors. From prescription eye drops and in-office treatments to participation in clinical trials, there are many other ways we may be able to help you deal with your dry eye disease.
