How much time do you think you spend rubbing your eyes? If they’re always itchy, always bothering you, then it’s time to get something done. We’re very lucky and glad to be in Southern California, with all of this incredible weather, but living here means that many of us are going to have dry eyes. When your eyes are dry, it’s fixable. In fact, it’s fixable in quite a few different ways. At L’ Optique, we have a series of methods that can keep your eyes from getting dry, so that you don’t have to worry about itching and rubbing your eyes anymore.
Service Performed by an Independent Optometrist
Having dry eyes is a condition with no permanent cure. Long-term dry eyes, also known as chronic dry eye syndrome, occur when the eyes either do not make enough tears or the tears made evaporate rapidly. There are many causes of chronic dry eyes, including advanced age, over-wearing contact lenses, certain eye diseases, some medications, environmental factors, and some medical conditions. When it comes down to it, dry eyes is a common condition and many suffer from it.
The most common cause of dry eyes is that the body is unable to produce enough tears to provide an adequate amount of lubrication for the surface of the eyes. This can be because of poor-quality tears, damaged glands or not being able to produce enough tears. Poor-quality tears mean there is an unbalanced composition of the actual tears, causing them to evaporate at an accelerated rate.
The environment has a lot to do with dry eyes, causing tears to dry up faster in hot, dry climates, in smoke-filled rooms and when outside in high winds. It is important to be aware of the surrounding environment and, if possible, change it by increasing the amount of moisture in the air or reducing the wind flow. This can help prevent eyes from drying out.
This condition can be very uncomfortable, resulting in burning, stinging and itching eyes. However, those are not the only symptoms those suffering from dry eyes experience. Other symptoms may include having a stringy mucus in or around the eye area, being sensitive to light, having red eyes, feeling like there is something in the eye, having trouble wearing contact lenses, experiencing trouble with nighttime driving, experiencing watery eyes or suffering from blurred vision.
Many times it is possible to use over-the-counter treatments, such as eye drops or ointments to help add moisture to the eyes. However, depending on the severity and the cause, it may be necessary to seek professional assistance from a physician or eye doctor. It is best to schedule an appointment with a doctor when suffering from these symptoms for prolonged periods of time.
A doctor can properly diagnose dry eyes and help set a course of treatment. A series of tests will be conducted to determine the cause and severity of the condition. Tests may include a comprehensive eye exam, measuring the volume of tears produced and the quality of tears being produced.
Other treatments are available to assist those suffering from chronic dry eye syndrome. These treatments can include anything from changing lifestyle habits to using eye drops and stop wearing contacts to having a surgical procedure done. If over-the-counter options do not work, the doctor may prescribe a stronger eye drop or ointment. If necessary, there are different surgical procedures, including inserting punctal plugs. Other medical treatments may include closing tear ducts to reduce the loss of tears, prescribing special contact lenses, unblocking oil glands, using light therapy or massaging the eyelids.
For some, medications of any kind are not an option. It does not matter if it is due to allergies or just not wanting to use medications, there are some lifestyle changes and home remedies that can help relieve the symptoms of dry eyes. The best thing to do is to frequently wash the eyelids using clean water and mild soap. Placing a warm washcloth over the eyes and relaxing is another beneficial home treatment. Another home remedy is to eat a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can help keep the eyes lubricated.
Though there are a variety of different treatments available, preventing dry eyes in the first place is always the best option. Different ways to prevent the eyes from becoming dry include avoiding air from being blown directly into the eyes, using a humidifier to keep moisture in the air, wearing protective eyewear, stopping smoking and avoiding smoke-filled rooms. Other things to do include taking regular breaks when working on long tasks, changing the position of the computer screen and using lubricating eye drops regularly.
Just as with any disease or disorder, if not properly treated, it can lead to other health-related complications. Those who suffer from chronic dry eyes may also find they suffer from more eye infections, as there are fewer tears to protect the eye from bacteria. Other complications may include damage to the eye surface and a decrease in a person’s quality of life.
Those who believe they are suffering from chronic dry eye disease should reach out to their eye care professional for assistance, screening, and diagnosis. It is best to not hesitate, as doing so may result in symptoms getting worse and causing damage to the eyes. Keep in mind, if visiting a general practitioner first, be prepared and know that he or she may give a referral or suggest going see an eye specialist.
Before the visit, make a list of any symptoms, key information about life changes and all medications, vitamins, and supplements. Being prepared will help the doctor come up with a diagnosis and treatment plan. Until the appointment, keep using eye drops or at-home remedies, which can offer temporary relief from symptoms.
