Water Absorption > Not Just Water Intake = Improved Eye Health

When it comes to managing dry eyes, you’ve probably heard that drinking more water is essential. And it’s true. Hydration plays a vital role in maintaining tear production and eye comfort.

But, what if I told you that simply drinking more water isn’t enough? It’s not just about how much water you drink. What matters more is how much water your body actually absorbs. The amount of  water that is available to support your tear film is what we're after.

Water Intake vs. Water Absorption

Many of us aim to follow the classic advice: drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day. That’s a great start. But, do you notice your trips to the bathroom increase when you drink more water?

Only a portion of that water actually makes its ...

Summer is a great time of the year to enjoy spending time with your friends and family outdoors. This can be especially challenging for dry eye sufferers since they often are sensitive to wind and sunlight. Let’s discuss three ways to protect your eyes this summer.  

#1) Protect Your Eyes 

Wearing your sunglasses to protect our eyes from UV rays is important any time of the year. Harmful UV rays have been linked to cataract creation and an increased risk of development of macular degeneration. In the summer, it is extra important to wear sunglasses because there are more hours of daylight. 

When you have dry eyes, your eyes tend to be more sensitive to light and to wind. I like to wear sunglasses whenever I'm outdoors year-round, but especially in the summertime. Make sure that your sun...

In 2021, I was invited to serve as a member of the Public Awareness Committee for the TFOS Lifestyle Workshop. This is a global initiative where doctors, scientists, and researchers come together to gather information and make recommendations. The purpose of the Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society’s newest workshop was to produce evidence-based education about the lifestyle choices patients are making which cause ocular surface disease.  

The purpose of these TFOS workshops is to gather the known evidence-based research and compile it. This helps to gather a consensus from research to help guide treatment protocols. It also answers questions about disease progression and uncovers areas that have not yet been fully researched. In fact, each subcommittee report has a section to suggest whe...

 Who doesn't love Fall?  We've got hay rides, apple picking, football games, and everything pumpkin spice flavored available for this very short time.  And, this time of year, when the weather gets a little bit cooler here in Louisiana, it is a great time to enjoy being outdoors again.  I want to go over three tips to have happy eyes in the fall.

Tip #1) Hydrate - Keep the moisture coming from the inside

The first tips is to hydrate.  What I mean by this is continue to drink water. I've got a cup that I keep on my desk at the office with a straw so that I can sip and get all of my ounces of water in while I am working.

It's important to remember to hydrate during this time of the year because  it's not so hot outside. So, you're not as thirsty as you were all summer. You will need...