When you have dry eyes, your tears are insufficient to lubricate your eyes. Tears are required to keep your eye’s front surface healthy and provide clear vision. With dry eyes Edgewater comes irritation and an increased risk of infection.
When you suffer from dry eyes, it can feel like your eyes are on fire. Your eyes may water to moisten the surface, but this only worsens the burning and itching. These are more symptoms of dry eyes:
- Feeling a burning, scratchy, or stinging sensation in your eyes
- Increased eye fatigue
- Strings of mucus in or around your eyes
- Difficulty wearing contact lenses
- Sensitivity to light
While dry eyes can happen to anyone, certain groups are at a greater risk. These include:
- People over the age of 50: At the age of 50, your tear production starts to decrease. This can be due to health conditions, medications, and hormonal changes.
- Women: Women are more likely than men to experience dry eyes, especially during pregnancy and menopause.
- People who spend a lot of time on the computer: If you work at a computer all day, you may blink less, leading to dry eyes.
- People with certain medical conditions: Conditions that can cause dry eyes to include Sjögren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and thyroid problems.
Now that you know of the groups of people who are prone to dry eyes, below find the types of dry eye:
Aqueous tear-deficient dry eye
This type of dry eye occurs when your tears cannot provide enough lubrication because the eyes lack water. It can be caused by certain medical conditions, such as Sjögren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and thyroid problems.
Mucus-deficient dry eye
Mucus-deficient dry eye happens when the tears cannot provide enough lubrication because the eyes lack mucus. It can be caused by certain medical conditions, such as Sjögren’s syndrome and diabetes.
There are various treatment options, including:
- Gels and ointments: This treatment can help lubricate your eyes and protect your eyes from further damage. You do not need a prescription for these; you can find the gels and ointments over the counter.
- Artificial tears: Did you know there are different types of artificial tears? The product comes in a bottle, and you can use the artificial tears as often.
- Punctal plugs: These are tiny devices inserted into the tear ducts to help prevent tears from draining away. The plugs are usually silicone or collagen and can be temporary or permanent.
- Antibiotics: Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if you have an infection. It can help clear up the infection and allow your tears to function properly.
- Immunomodulators: These drugs help decrease the inflammation in your eyes. The immunomodulators are usually used for more severe cases of dry eye and are only available with a prescription.
Dry eye is a common condition that can be annoying, but treatments are available to help relieve the symptoms. If you are experiencing dry eyes, talk to your doctor at Precision Eye Institute so the eye specialist can determine the best treatment for you.
Johnson