It is always a good idea to consult with an ophthalmologist about any eye problem you may be experiencing. Provide relief to your dry eyes with the help of over the counter and prescription medicines.
Dry eyes and Symptoms
Dry eye is one of the common eye problems affecting both men and women. If you have dry eyes, this means the tears in your eyes are not able to provide enough moisture. The condition can also be called as Kerato conjunctivitis Sicca (KCS), in which there is a reduced production of tears in the eyes.
Also Read: Watery Eyes: causes and treatments
The symptoms of dry eyes include:
- A gritty feeling
- Itching and redness
- Feeling like you have something in your eye
- Sensitivity to brightness or light
- Blurry vision
These above symptoms of eye problem can be critical too. Sometimes, the dry eyes cause so many tears. This condition is known as reflex tearing. It’s majorly happening because of the lack of moisture that may frequently irritate your eye.
What Causes Dry Eyes?
Sometimes, the lack of balance in your tear-flow system causes dry eyes. Household things like a heater, air conditioner, or other things around you might dry out your tear film. Some other possible causes include:
- Problems that don’t allow your eyelids to close the way they should
- Diseases that affect the ability to create tears, like rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome and collagen vascular diseases
- Any side effects due to certain drugs like antihistamines
- The natural process of aging, especially menopause
How Are Dry Eyes Treated?
There are a number of dry eye treatments available that plays a vital role in treating dry eyes. Consult your doctor which one to choose. These treatments include:
- Artificial tear drops and ointments-
Artificial tear drops and ointments are one of the most common treatments. Many types of drops are available over the counter that can treat dry eyes. Every product doesn’t work for everyone, so you would have to try a few of them to get the one that will work right for you. If you are suffering from chronic dry eye, then you must use the drops even when you feel that your eyes are fine, or they will not stay wet enough. If your eyes dry out while you sleep, you must choose an ointment, at night. These eye care medicines are also used in eye infection treatments.
- Temporary punctal occlusion-
Your doctor might choose the treatment to close the punctum or duct that drains your tears from the eye. He might start this treatment with a temporary plug that is specially designed to dissolve over time.
- Lipiflow–
Lipiflow is a medical device that is used by heat and pressure to unclog blocked glands on your eyelids. These glands help your eyes produce the oil in your tears, keeping it moist and preventing the tears from evaporating.
- Testosterone cream-
It is not common and doesn’t happen often, but dry eye can be caused due to lack of testosterone in the oil glands of the eyelids. An ophthalmologist may give you a testosterone cream that you have to apply on your eyelids to help your oil glands perform better.
Tips for healthy eyes
Living with dry eyes can be difficult, but following eye care tips can do wonders to help relieve some of the dry eye symptoms:
- Apply artificial tears-Nowadays many real supplements are available in the form gels, ointment, and drop. These bring real relief to your dry and irritated eyes.
- Use a humidifier-A humidifier helps in adding moisture to dry indoor air and slows down the tear evaporation. This is extremely useful in winter. Make sure that the air conditioner is not blowing on your face during summers. Make adjustments accordingly in your car.
- Wear shades-Prefer buying sunglasses with wraparound frames as these will protect your eyes from UV rays and wind. For indoor protections, buy goggles and moisture chamber glasses.
Also Read: Best eye care measures for computer users
Take a break- It is very important to blink to move tears across your eyes. This is helpful in keeping your eyes moist enough. While using a computer, ensure that you take breaks and blink frequently.
