The Best Sleep Mask for Dry Eyes

Read this to discover the best sleep mask for dry eyes. Plus, find out more about what causes this condition and how an eye mask soothes dry eye discomfort.

Believe it or not, millions of Americans suffer from dry eyes yearly. It’s common, yes. But that doesn’t make it any less uncomfortable and sometimes downright painful. 

The great news is there are a couple of ways to relieve symptoms, which we’ll talk about more later. But one of the easiest ways is to find the best sleep mask for dry eyes.

Most of the time dry eyes are temporary, but there are instances where it becomes chronic. Dry eye can also be a symptom of other health issues. So if you suspect you have it, visit a doctor to find out exactly why and how to fix it.

If you aren’t sure what you’re feeling is dry eye, here’s some basic information to help you figure it out.

If your eyes start to itch or sting (or even burn) for no apparent reason, you might have dry eyes (also known as dry eye). 

This can be situational. For instance, you’re on an airplane and you start to feel your eyes itch. This is to be expected because the humidity levels on planes are notoriously low. Plus, it’s not just your eyes that dry out but your skin, nose and throat, too. 

Of course, other factors cause dry eyes. Note that if you experience this regularly, it might be what they call chronic dry eye syndrome.

This condition happens when your tears don’t do a good job of lubricating your eyes regularly. Either you don’t make enough or they’re of poor quality. 

Your tears are made up of three layers, according to the American Optometric Association: water, oil and mucus⁽¹⁾. These layers form a tear film to protect the surface of your eyes. If any of these layers are lacking in any way, then it lowers the quality. This, in turn, could lead to dry eye syndrome.

There are two types of dry eye: evaporative and aqueous. Evaporative is more common and happens when there’s not enough oil in the tear film⁽²⁾. 

People who have meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) have this type of dry eye.  The glands are blocked, which leads to limited oil production. And as we mentioned earlier, this essential layer of your tear film helps protect the eyes’ surface.  

Meanwhile, aqueous dry eye affects the water layer of your tear film. Your lacrimal gland doesn’t produce enough, causing your eyes to dry out.

Here are some common symptoms to watch out for:

• It “feels” like there’s something in them

• Blurred vision

• Stinging or burning sensations

• Light sensitivity

• Red eyes

• Watery eyes 

• Stringy eye secretions 

• Itchy and scratchy eyes

By the way, dry eye doesn’t just happen when you're going about your business during the day. You can wake up to these annoying symptoms. 

If you’re feeling any of these, see an optometrist or ophthalmologist for an examination. If you’re diagnosed with the condition, they’ll prescribe treatment depending on the causes. Wearing the best sleep mask for dry eyes might just be part of it. 

A typical way to treat dry eyes is eye drops, also known as artificial tears. Note that this is for mild cases. Do not mistake this for the kind that treats red eyes because that can dry them out even more.

Eye duct plugs are another way to treat dry eyes. Also called punctual plugs, these are placed in your tear ducts to prevent moisture from escaping, keeping the surface of your eyes lubricated. 

You might be prescribed medication. Or your doctor will encourage you to make lifestyle changes, including getting enough sleep.  

Bottom line: Don’t be tempted to self-diagnose. After all, we’re talking about your windows to the soul here. 

Does sleeping with an eye mask help? The short of it, yes. 

But in general, do sleep masks work? A good number of studies show they do. Overall, the best sleep mask helps improve your sleep quality by blocking out light. Also, they protect your eyes from air and dirt creeping in. Eye masks for dry eyes also help seal moisture in.

This is especially true for people who have lagophthalmos. They can’t close their eyes completely while asleep, making them prone to dry eyes.

Much like the ones used for swimming, moisture chamber goggles are made from silicone. They work by reducing the evaporation rate of your tear film. 

Those used specifically for sleeping have a strap that wraps around your head. The problem is not many dry eye sleep goggles are known for their comfort. 

Try looking for a sleep mask with eye cups instead. These are also very helpful if you have sleep apnea. Using a CPAP and dry eyes are often linked. That’s because air leaks from the machine cause your eyes to dry out.

Why not try this one?

If you’re looking for 100% blackout and soothing steam relief, here’s a tip. If you already own the Manta SLEEP Mask, you can get the STEAM Eye Cups separately.

Besides using the best sleep mask for dry eyes, here are some simple ways to beat it before it even starts.

Remember what we told you about staring at the screen too long? Make a conscious effort to blink more. Time it if you must; every 20 minutes for 20 seconds is good. Or you can do something even better. Limit your screen time, period.

Include fish that’s oil-rich in your diet. This can’t be too hard since by this we mean salmon, tuna and sardines (Yum). Throw in some walnuts for good measure, too. And cook your food in canola oil. These foods contain omega-3 fatty acids, which help your tears’ oil layer work better.

Low humidity or dirty air triggers dry eyes. A humidifier in your home, especially your bedroom can work wonders. Make it a point to keep the air in your home clean by using an air filter. Oh, and this is yet another great reason to quit smoking for good.   

Now that you’re armed with all this information, we hope there’s not a dry eye in the house. Well, certainly in yours at least. 

And go get your best sleep mask for dry eyes, too. Hello, soothing relief and deep and restful sleep!