Dealing with Chronic Dry Eye as an Artist
It’s my goal to go plein air painting every Friday morning but sometimes it doesn’t turn out how I expect it to.
It all started back in 2018. I was in the thick of college, and I thought that what I was experiencing was due to late nights and early mornings working on homework. By 2020, I was liberally using lubricant eye drops every day and was going through a bottle a week. When I finally went to the doctor, I found out that my tear film was thin and broke up in about four seconds when the average is about twelve seconds. I started a very expensive prescription (that wasn’t covered by my insurance) and tried to stretch my monthly supply into a couple of months' worth of drops. After two years of the name brand, a cheaper (but still expensive) generic finally came on the market. It’s been four years, and the medicine has really helped me improve. I always have eye drops with me and have developed some tricks up my sleeve to help mitigate my episodes, and now my average tear film is about eight seconds.
Being an artist with this condition is no easy task, especially when it comes to plein air, aka painting outdoors. I never know when an episode will come on, but I am well aware of the warning signs. One of my very first plein air competitions was during fire season, and the smoke became too much for me. I was devastated; I was so excited to participate but came home in tears (ironic, isn’t it?). On my latest plein air adventure, which I was filming for my YouTube channel, I went from perfectly fine to down to one squinty eye in about an hour.
Over the last few years, I’ve tried to shift my attitude to be more positive. No longer looking at these experiences as failures but as mileage. Does it still hurt? Of course, but all I can do is remind myself to keep painting and pursuing the artist's path.
Tips for Managing Chronic Dry Eye as an Artist
Go to the Doctor: find out if a prescription is right for you! If so, be consistent and patient.
Always Be Prepared: I never leave home without my eye drops. Whether I'm heading to the grocery store or working in the studio, having them on hand is crucial.
Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps maintain overall eye health. I make it a point to drink a lot of water throughout the day.
Protect Your Eyes: When driving wear sunglasses or when painting outdoors wear a big hat or stay in the shade.
Get a Heat Pack: It’s an eye mask that you pop in the microwave for 15 seconds and let it rest on your eyes for 15 minutes to help unclog your ducts and help the oil move fluidly. If there’s a workshop or competition I make sure to do one the night before, the morning of and one after the event.
Take Breaks: Long painting sessions can strain my eyes. I set a timer to remind myself to take breaks, close my eyes for a few minutes or look at a different subject matter close up or farther away and blink rapidly.
Mind Your Environment: I avoid places with strong wind or air conditioning/heating vents directly blowing on me, as they can dry out my eyes faster.
Living with chronic dry eye is a constant challenge, but it hasn't stopped me from pursuing my passion for art. I've learned to adapt and take care of my eyes while continuing to create. For anyone else dealing with this condition, remember that it's about finding what works best for you and staying dedicated to your craft, even when it's difficult. If you are struggling send me a DM and I’d love to chat with you.
