Can Be Done At Home, How To Care For Dried Eye Symptoms That Are Often Considered Trivial

Eye drops illustration (istockphoto)

JAKARTA - Dry eyes are one of the problems of eye health that is often not realized and tends to be underestimated by the public. This is because the symptoms are considered a common problem, such as close eyes, pain, and fatigue.

The appearance of these symptoms should not be underestimated and actions should be taken immediately so that the condition of the dry eye becomes severe and chronic. An eye specialist, dr. Eka Octaviani Budiningtyas, SpM, said there were several steps to treat the symptoms of dry eyes that could be done at home.

One way is to compress the eyes using warm water. The warm water compress serves to open the glands again well open.

"For example, if there are symptoms of dry eyes, a warm compress can be done at home. The compress is warm, not cold, so that the glands on the eyelids can be re-opened," said Doctor Eka when met in Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta, written Monday, November 10, 2025.

The glands in question are the meibom glands, which produce a tear-protected layer of oil (lipid). When the glands are clogged, the tears evaporate more quickly and cause the eye to feel sore.

By compressing using warm water, it can help soften the blockage and stimulate lipid production naturally.

"Hot temperature can open the channel, while cold actually makes it close," he added.

In addition to using warm compresses, the use of artificial tears can also help replace natural eye moisture.

"Usually we give artificial tear drops, to compensate for production shortages. The content is various, such as sodium hyluronic or HPMC, depending on the severity," he explained.

However, Doctor Eka also reminded not to buy eye drops carelessly in the market. This is because some products contain preservatives which can exacerbate irritation if used in the long term.

"If it's heavy, it needs therapy. So it's important to first check what type of dry eye it is," concluded Doctor Eka.