Dry Eyes

Why do eyes get dry?

Your eyes naturally produce tears. Tears are crucial for eye health because they keep the eye’s surface moist and lubricated. Healthy tears cover the surface of your eyes, make blinking comfortable and protecting them from irritants in the environment.

Certain activities can make tears evaporate more quickly than usual, causing symptoms of dry eyes. Reading a book or working on the computer can make you blink less, which leads to drier eyes. Dry environments, like airplanes, can sap eyes of moisture, too.

Chronic dry eye is a condition that develops when your eyes consistently don’t make enough tears or if your tears aren’t high-quality. Chronic dryness that doesn’t improve when you change activities often leads to eye discomfort, redness, and sensitivity.

Do I have chronic dry eyes?

Chronic dry eye is generally diagnosed when you have ongoing symptoms of dryness in both eyes. You might have chronic dry eyes if you regularly notice:

• Eye redness
• Stinging or burning eyes
• Excessive watering
• Blurry vision
• Sensitivity to light
• Excessive discharge around eyes

People with chronic dry eyes often have trouble wearing contact lenses because they dry out quickly and feel uncomfortable. Sometimes, dry eyes can make it feel like there’s something stuck in your eye, even when nothing is there.

What treatments are available for dry eyes?

Dry eye symptoms can be uncomfortable and bothersome, but the good news is that treatment is usually very effective. The eye care team at Vision Corner includes dry eye specialists. Your doctor can diagnose your condition with an exam, after talking with you about your symptoms.

Treatment for dry eyes is focused on increasing lubrication with artificial tears. Vision Corner can recommend over-the-counter eye drops or prescribe stronger eye drops like Restasis® and Xiidra®.

Follow your eye doctor’s guidelines for use, whether you use over-the-counter or prescription eye drops. Many people with chronic dry eye find that regularly using eye drops helps increase eye moisture and minimizes discomfort and redness.

You don’t have to live with bothersome dry eyes. Book an appointment at Vision Corner online or call the office to find relief from dry eye symptoms today.

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