My eyes feel dry by mid-afternoon. What can I do?

Mid-day dryness is the most common comfort complaint. Tactical steps:

1. Re-wetting drops 1–3× per day. Preservative-free unidoses are kindest — preservatives accumulate on the lens over weeks.
2. The 20-20-20 rule for screen work: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet (6 m) away for 20 seconds. Blink rate falls by ~60% during screen focus; this resets it.
3. Humidity control: forced-air heating and air-conditioning dry the cornea quickly. A small humidifier at the desk helps measurably.
4. Caffeine and alcohol are mild diuretics — moderate intake helps tear film.
5. Omega-3 supplementation (2 g daily of EPA + DHA) improves tear-film stability over 6–12 weeks in many dry-eye sufferers.

If dryness persists despite all of the above, the lens material may not match your tear film. Ask your optician about:

• Switching from monthly to daily disposable (fresh lens, no deposits, often more comfortable).
• A higher-moisture silicone hydrogel (Acuvue Oasys with Hydraluxe, Total1, Biofinity Energys).
• Reducing daily wear time by 1–2 hours.