Doctor Recommended Nighttime Dry Eye Routine
Ever wondered what order you're supposed to follow for your complicated nighttime drops, compresses, etc? You're not alone! I get this question ALL THE TIME from patients and so I created this infographic to help.
EYE DOCTOR RECOMMENDED
Dry Eye Nighttime Routine
Step 1
Remove Your Makeup
It is critical to remove makeup every night to give your eyes and skin a break from any makeup, sunscreen, or skin oils that have been living on your face all day long. We recommend removing makeup with a hypoallergenic eye safe wipe like Eyes Are The Story, a cosmetic and skincare line designed by eye doctors to be effective yet gentle on your eyes.
Step 2
Indulge In A Warm Compress
If you suffer from dry eye, work long hours on screens, or have been told by your eye doctor to do warm compresses, now is the time to do it. After ensuring that your face and eyes are fully cleansed, heat your warm compress mask in the microwave for 15 to 30 seconds and apply to the eyes for 15 minutes. Make sure to test your warm compress mask against the back of your hand to ensure it is not too hot.
Step 3
Cleanse Those Eyelids
The next step is to thoroughly cleanse the eyelids with a lid scrub wipe, gel, or foam. We recommend you wipe along the eyelid and lash line in a down and out motion (moving the wipe along the eye from the inner corner to the outer corner in downward strokes). You repeat the process on the lower lid with an up and out motion (moving the wipe along the eye from the inner corner to the outer corner in upward strokes). Cleansing the lids this way will help to move all the old, thickened oil out of your meibomian glands and keep your eyelids free of demodex mites.
Step 4
Use Your Eye Drops
The final stage of your nighttime routine is to medicate and hydrate your eyes. This is the step where you will instill any medicated eye drops (like Restasis, Xiidra, Cequa, etc.) then wait 5 to 10 minutes before instilling any additional drops (like an artificial tear or ointment). That’s it! Now your eyes are ready for a restful night of sleep.