When tears do not function properly or do not generate enough tears, dry eye develops, causing irritation and occasionally vision problems. Millions of Americans experience it each year, making it a widespread condition. A scratchy sensation, stinging or burning, redness, sensitivity to light, and impaired vision are typical symptoms. Fortunately, there are a number of techniques to protect your eyes from harm and get rid of dry eye irritation. Visit this page to treat your dry eyes pasadena.
Why are your eyes dry?
Your ophthalmologist will check your eyelids, eye surface, and blinking patterns during an eye exam to diagnose dry eye. The problem can be detected using a number of tests, including measurements of the tear quality and thickness as well as the rate at which tears are produced.
Many uncomfortable symptoms of dry eyes can be experienced, such as stinging, burning, blurred vision (especially when reading), a scratchy or gritty feeling, mucus strings around the eyes, redness or irritation (especially in windy or smokey environments), and discomfort when wearing contact lenses. Surprisingly, dry eyes can induce excessive weeping because the condition irritates the eyes, which causes them to produce more tears.
What are the causes?
Women, particularly those who have had menopause, are more prone to dry eye due to age-related decreases in tear production. Certain conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren’s syndrome, eyelid diseases like blepharitis, environmental factors like smoke, wind, and dry climate, prolonged screen time or activities that reduce blinking, prolonged contact lens use, refractive eye surgery like LASIK, and specific medications, such as diuretics, beta-blockers, antihistamines, sleep aids, anxiety and antidepressants, and heartburn medications, are additional causes of dry eye. It’s crucial to let your ophthalmologist know about your prescription and over-the-counter medications.
What are the symptoms of dry eyes?
A scratchy sensation, stinging or burning sensations, inflamed eyes, light sensitivity, and hazy vision are just a few signs of dry eye. A lack of vitamin A or omega-3 fatty acids, being female, 50 years of age or older, wearing contact lenses, having a deficiency in these nutrients, or having certain autoimmune disorders like lupus or Sjögren syndrome all enhance the likelihood of developing it.
Final thoughts:
Depending on the underlying cause, many dry eye treatments exist. Artificial tears, moisturizing gels, and ointments sold over the counter are frequently used to treat minor cases of dry eye. To boost tear production, doctors may prescribe prescription drugs like cyclosporine and lifitegrast for severe cases.
