What Are Dry Eyes and How Are They Treated?

Dry eyes are a common disease that happens when your tears are not providing sufficient lubrication for your eyes. According to medical studies, around sixteen million Americans and fifty percent of the world’s population develop dry eyes. If you have burning, itching, red, and generally irritated eyes, you are likely experiencing dry eyes. The experienced physicians at Bainbridge Eye Care offer innovative Bronx dry eyes diagnosis and treatment. Here is a look at more details about dry eyes and their available treatment.

What Are Dry Eyes?

Dry eyes, also referred to as dry eye syndrome, result from inadequate eye lubrication and moisture. This happens when your eyes don’t produce sufficient tears. It can also occur when your tea films, the thin tear layer that protects and moisturizes your eyes, are of bad quality. Dry eyes can cause discomfort and other potentially severe effects like infections and cornea damage.

What Are the Causes of Dry Eyes?

There are several potential reasons for dry eyes. These include allergies, hormone fluctuations, autoimmune disease, side effects of drugs such as antihistamines, and eyelid gland dysfunction. Other conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, and collagen vascular diseases, might affect your ability to make tears. The natural aging process, particularly menopause, also causes decreased eye lubrication resulting in dry eyes.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Dry Eyes.?

Now that you know what dry eyes are, you might wonder how you can know you have dry eyes. Some common symptoms of dry eyes include; stinging eyes, burning eyes, scratchy-feeling eyes, bloodshot or red eyes, discomfort when wearing contact lenses, stringy eye mucus discharge, scratchy-feeling eyes, and blurry close-up vision. You might also experience eye flooding, but the tears have no mucus and oil components.

What Are the Available Treatments for Dry Eyes?

·       Artificial Ointments and Tear Drops

This is one of the common treatments, with most eye drops easily available over the counter. Since there are different products, you will need to figure out the one that works best for you. If your condition is chronic, you must use teardrops even when your eyes feel fine.

·       Punctal Plugs

These are tiny plugs inserted in your tear ducts to avert the loss of moisture. The different types of punctal plugs include semipermanent made of silicone or acrylic and dissolvable collagen plugs.   

·       Medications

Eye drops medications such as Xiidra and Restasis can efficiently treat dry eyes problems with regular daily use.

·       Prokera

This is an impermanent corneal strapping developed from an amniotic membrane rich in regenerative and healing components. If your dry eyes cause corneal damage, Prokera can minimize inflammation and restore a healthy cornea.

·       Lifestyle Changes

Sometimes, lifestyle changes can help with dry eyes. For instance, decreasing screen time and taking omega-3 fatty acids might help with your medical treatment.

Dry eyes might make your life uncomfortable. Getting the right treatments can restore your comfort. Bainbridge Eye Care can enhance your comfort immediately if you are experiencing continued symptoms in your life because of dry eyes, such as tired, irritated, red, or painful eyes. Contact the office or schedule an appointment online today to find out what is bothering you.