Approximately 4.8
million
people have dry eyes. While dry eyes can be caused by a variety of
factors, including aging, some medications, certain medical conditions,
allergies, and other environmental factors, the symptoms are often the same and
equally frustrating for everyone who experiences them. Redness, light
sensitivity, blurred vision, itching, burning, and aching can make for a very uncomfortable
day.
Fortunately, you don't have to live with dry eyes. There are
several treatments that may alleviate your symptoms.
Home Remedies
If you experience mild and/or intermittent symptoms of dry
eye, you may be able to alleviate your symptoms with a few easy, all-natural
home remedies. In addition to drinking plenty of water and taking frequent
screen breaks, you may want to try placing warm compresses on your eyes for 10
minutes, twice a day. Doing so will increase the flow of fluid through your eyelid
glands and improve the quality of your tears.
Taking vitamins may help too. Deficiencies of certain
vitamins, such as vitamins A, B12, and D as well as Omega-3 fatty acids, have
been linked with dry eyes. And don't forget to improve your environment. Use a
humidifier and avoid drying cigarette smoke.
Artificial Tears
Over-the-counter artificial tears lubricate your eyes and
provide immediate relief. However, not all artificial tears are created equal.
Artificial tears that have a low viscosity provide very temporary relief,
making frequent application necessary. Products with high viscosity provide
better, longer-lasting lubrication, which means you may only have to apply them
a couple of times per day. But they can make your vision a bit blurry for a few
minutes after application.
Dry Eye Medications
When artificial tears are not enough, prescription
medications can help. In addition to lubricating your eyes, medications reduce
the inflammation associated with dry eyes. This will help your eyes feel better
and work toward treating the underlying cause of dry eye syndrome. You see,
inflammation makes it difficult for your eyes to produce natural tears. Getting
rid of it will go a long way in allowing your eyes to naturally lubricate as
they should.
Popular dry eye prescription medications include Restasis,
Xiidra, and Lacrisert in addition to steroid eye drops.
Punctal Plugs
In some cases, dryness occurs when the tear film drains away
and dries too quickly. At the corner of your eye, you have tear ducts and
lacrimal glands. The latter is responsible for removing excess tears from the
surface of your eyes. If they do so too quickly, you will experience dry eyes.
To prevent this issue, your ophthalmologist can place a
lacrimal or punctal gland plug into the gland. The plug blocks the drainage of
tears, allowing them the remain on the surface of the eye longer. Tears are
then removed from the surface of the eye via evaporation.
Gland Expression
Sometimes, dry eyes are caused by the inadequate secretion
of meibum oil from the meibomian glands, which are located at the base of your
eyelashes. When this occurs, it's referred to as meibomian gland dysfunction,
or MGD. If your glands are not working well due to a blockage, your eye doctor
can express them, or remove the blockage.
The procedure involves placing warm compresses on your eyes
to soften the blockage before manually squeezing the hardened oil and other
debris from your glands with special forceps.
If you are tired of living with itching,
burning, painful eyes, contact
Calvert
Ophthalmology Center today to make an appointment. Dry eyes can be
treated. You don't have to continue to put up with the bothersome symptoms of
dry eyes. And the best part? Treatment is often fairly quick and simple.
