Dry Eye FAQs Answered by Our Optometrist
Dry eye is a common condition people encounter with their eyes. Sometimes dry eye symptoms are temporary. Dry eye syndrome, however, is more permanent, requiring special care. The following FAQs from Danville Eye Center serving the Danville, Liberty, Mount Vernon, and Harrodsburg areas can help you learn more about dry eye syndrome.
What Is Dry Eye Syndrome?
Dry eye syndrome refers to a condition that affects tear production in your eyes. Tears serve to protect your eyes against irritants and keep them lubricated and moist. When your eyes stop producing quality tears, they become dry and irritated. Lack of tears leaves your eyes defenseless against irritants that can damage your eye surface and impair your vision.
What Causes Dry Eye Syndrome?
Numerous factors can affect tear production, leading to dry eye syndrome. These include:
- Age (your eyes produce fewer tears as you get older)
- Excess use of digital devices
- Indoor or outdoor environmental elements like wind, air pollution, heating system, etc.
- Auto-immune diseases
- Certain medications
- Side effects of LASIK or other eye surgeries
How Do I Know I Have Dry Eye Syndrome?
Dry eye produces such symptoms as dry, irritated eyes, redness, watery eyes, grittiness, burning, sensitivity to light, discomfort when wearing contacts and blurry vision. By testing your eyes and reviewing your symptoms, your Danville optometry specialist can confirm you have this condition.
How Can Watery Eyes Be A Symptom of Dry Eye Syndrome?
Dry eye symptoms may stimulate your eye glands to produce excess tears in an effort to alleviate the dryness. These poor quality tears make them of no use in alleviating symptoms. In fact, they often aggravate your condition more.
How Is Dry Eye Treated?
There are various treatment options for dry eye, depending on the severity of your condition. Mild dry eye symptoms can often be treated with over the counter artificial tears. Your optometry specialist can help you select the best product for you. In severe cases, your eye doctor may prescribe eye drops or ointments to alleviate your symptoms. Your eye doctor may recommend punctal plugs for your eye glands to help with watery eyes. Warm compresses can also alleviate irritation and redness.
How Can I Avoid Dry Eye Issues?
By taking good care of your eyes, you can avoid problems with dry eye. Wear sunglasses when out in the sun. Take constant breaks when using digital devices to avoid eye strain. Get annual eye exams to evaluate your eye health and vision. Early detection of eye problems will enable you to get treatment before problems escalate into major issues.
See Your Danville, Liberty, Mount Vernon, and Harrodsburg Optometry Specialist Today
To schedule a consultation for dry eye diagnosis or treatment, contact Danville Eye Center.
Danville 859-236-8644
Liberty 606-722-0180
Mount Vernon 606-256-3937
Harrodsburg 859-734-3697