Dry Eye during Airline travelling

People who suffer from dry eyes must ensure during flight that they take all necessary precautions to reduce eye discomfort associated with dry and recycled air from the cabin of an aircraft.

Effects of Altitude on passengers and Dry Eye during Airline travelling

Dry Eye during Airline travelling is a unpleasant reality to all dry eye sufferers. Although aircraft cabins are pressurized, that pressure (called barometric pressure) is less than that on the ground. For most flights the cabin pressure is the same as that at 5,000-8,000 feet above sea level. In other words, when you are flying, the atmosphere within the aircraft is like that on the 5,000-8,000 feet peak of a small mountain.

Air Quality inside the aircraft cabin

In all modern pressurized aircraft, half the cabin air is fresh air drawn in via the engines with the other half recirculated from the cabin. The recirculated air is ducted through an air filter before being reintroduced into the cabin. There is a total air change (filtered recirculated plus outside air) every 2 – 3 minutes or 20 to 30 exchanges per hour. This does not mean the air is  ‘allergy-safe’ by any means. Fortunately, those who suffer from dry eye can take some precautions to limit the impact of this recycled air on their eyes.

Dry Eye during Airline travelling

Dry Eye during Airline travelling

Aircraft cabin relative humidity and Dry Eyes

Aircraft cabin relative humidity is usually less than 20%, which is fairly dry. Although these low levels may be a source of mild discomfort (dry skin and eyes), there is little risk to your health.

Minimize discomfort from eye dryness by

  • Using lubricating eye drops before, during and after the flight
  • Wearing moisture chamber glasses
  • Using a sleeping eye mask that will retain humidity in the eye area
  • Doing blinking exercices regularly
  • Drinking reasonable amounts of water and juices.
  • Limiting consumption of alcohol because they cause you to lose fluids.
  • Avoiding wearing contact lenses during long flights
  • Use a warm compress to promote the proper functioning of the glands responsible for the lacrimal film production