Do your eyes often sting, burn, or feel uncomfortable? Do you often feel like there’s something in your eyes or experience watery eyes? You may suffer from dry eyes. Dry eye treatment varies according to the cause. According to the Mayo Clinic, dry eyes are defined as a condition in which the tears your eyes produce don’t provide enough moisture.
What Causes Dry Eyes?
Having dry eyes doesn’t necessarily mean that your eyes aren’t producing enough tears. They may not produce the right kind of tears. Tears consist of water, oil, and mucus, which each do their part to nourish and protect the eyes. If these get out of balance, your eyes may not get the lubrication they need, and the irritating symptoms of dry eyes may develop.
Dry eye syndrome can also develop if your eyes don’t produce enough of the watery layer of tears. The glands in your eyelids produce your tears, and they tend to produce less of them as you get older and because of certain medications such as antihistamines or blood pressure medications. Your environment can add to the problem when you’re in very dry air or in windy conditions. Also, certain eyelid problems, long-term wear of contact lenses, or even LASIK eye surgery can lead to dry eye as well.
How Is It Treated?
Dry eye treatment can start with over-the-counter medications such as eye drops or artificial tears. If these don’t help, your eye doctor may be able to recommend other remedies depending on what’s causing the problem:
- Antibiotics to reduce inflammation of your eyelids and help oil glands secrete more oily tears. These can be in eye drop, pill, or ointment form.
- Corticosteroids may also help control or reduce inflammation that causes dry eyes. These can also be in eye drop form.
- Eye inserts often help patients who have moderate to severe symptoms or who cannot use artificial tears. You insert the tiny particle beneath your lower eyelid once a day, and it slowly dissolves to help moisten your eyes.
- Unblocking oil glands or closing tear ducts to help retain tears are other options. They can be done with silicone plugs and thermal stimulation, such as placing a warm washcloth over your closed eyes for a minute each day.
Your doctor can perform a thorough eye exam to find out whether your eyes are producing enough tears and what quality of tears. He or she can then determine what is causing your symptoms and recommend dry eye treatment.
Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water can help alleviate dry eyes as can wearing sunglasses outside and making sure the humidity levels at home and at work are adequate. If you are suffering from these symptoms and are interested in dry eye treatment, please contact Woodhams Eye Clinic to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced doctors.
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