5 Signs It's Time for Dry Eye Treatment
May 23, 2024
Do you often have dry, itchy eyes? Millions of Americans deal with dry eyes, but this doesn't mean you should have to live with these frustrating symptoms.
Dry eye is sometimes a passing issue due to the weather, eye fatigue, or your environment, but it can become persistent and severe. Consistent dry eyes can make it harder to live your daily life, and you deserve treatment that provides relief.
Keep reading to learn about 5 signs it's time for dry eye treatment and how to get the relief you deserve.
What is Dry Eye Syndrome?
Dry eye syndrome is a common eye condition. It happens when the eyes don't have enough lubrication from tears, either because they are unable to produce enough tears or because the tears produced are poor in quality.
This creates inflammation and damages the surface of the eye as its outer layer can't receive the lubrication it needs. You should produce enough tears and have stable tears. However, if you have dry eye syndrome, this will no longer be possible because the tears produced will be low in quality and unstable.
What Causes Dry Eye?
Many people experience dry eyes from time to time. Many potential causes and things can increase their risk of developing dry eyes.
Some common causes and risk factors of dry eye include:
- Aging: You're more likely to have issues with tear production as you get older.
- Medical conditions: Some illnesses, including diabetes, lupus, and arthritis, can increase the risk of developing dry eye.
- Medications: Some medications can also impact tear production. These medications include antihistamines, antidepressants, and decongestants.
- Environmental elements: Certain environments, especially the weather, can cause dry eyes. You're more likely to have dry eyes when it's windy or in a windy area. You may also notice your eyes feel drier if you have allergies.
Dry eyes can also have multiple causes for one individual, as many factors can contribute to the symptoms. The best way to discover what's happening with your eyes is to schedule an eye exam with your ophthalmologist at Select Eye Care.
If your eyes feel dry and nothing is helping, seeing your eye doctor can help determine the root cause of your dry eyes and their symptoms.
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Sign 1: Your Eyes Are Dry
While it might seem like the most obvious sign, dry eyes aren't normal. If you deal with dry eyes often, they may feel like an everyday part of your life.
However, it's essential to remember that your eyes should have enough lubrication from tears and not feel uncomfortably dry. Constantly having dry eyes is a sign that something is wrong.
Sign 2: You Constantly Have Itchy Eyes
Itchy, irritated eyes can impact vision and be highly uncomfortable. Dry eyes are likely to feel very itchy.
It may seem like the best way to relieve itchy eyes is to touch or rub them, but this is not the case. Rubbing your eyes will only give you temporary relief and may harm them.
Instead, if you're suffering from itchy eyes, the best thing you can do is schedule an eye exam with your eye doctor. An eye exam will help your doctor determine what's causing your eyes to feel so itchy and devise an action plan for relief.
Sign 3: It Always Feels Like Something's in Your Eye
Dry eyes can often lead to feeling like something is in your eye when there's nothing there. Although this can happen on occasion, when it happens all the time because of dry eyes, it's a sign of something being wrong.
Dry eye syndrome can make it feel like there's always something in your eye, even if there's nothing there. Known as foreign body syndrome, it can also cause grit or a feeling like sand in your eye.
With dry eye treatment, you can get the relief you need to help your eyes feel better and stop feeling like there's something in them all the time.
Sign 4: Your Eyes Are Watery
Although it may seem counterintuitive, watery eyes are a common symptom of dry eye syndrome. When tears cannot adequately lubricate the eye, your body may try to overcompensate by creating more tears.
These tears lack the nutrients necessary, making your eyes water and increasing the amount created, leading to uncomfortable, watery eyes.
Sign 5: Making Small Adjustments Isn't Helping
If you have dry eye symptoms, you may have already tried to treat the symptoms. You may have tried small lifestyle changes like using a humidifier, drinking more water, or placing warm compresses on your eyes.
You may also have tried over-the-counter eye drops or allergy medications. If none of these remedies work, you should see your eye doctor for treatment.
Treating Dry Eyes
Dry eye symptoms are frustrating at best and debilitating at worst. Because there are many potential causes and underlying risk factors of dry eye syndrome, the best way to find relief is to schedule an eye exam with your ophthalmologist.
At Select Eye Care, our eye doctors will thoroughly examine your eyes and determine your medical history to determine what's causing dry eye symptoms. Then, we will find an effective treatment method, such as prescription eye drops or gland treatment, so that you can get relief.
Do you have dry eyes? Get the relief you need by scheduling your appointment today at Select Eye Care in Elkridge and Towson, MD! Isn't it time to help your eyes feel their best?