Treatments Your Eye Doctor Might Recommend For Your Dry Eyes
If you have dry eyes, you know how uncomfortable the condition is. Your eyes feel gritty and painful. Many things cause this condition, so eliminating your dry eyes could be a matter of figuring out what is causing it and eliminating the cause. For instance, dry eyes can be a side effect of medication or a complication of another medical condition. Other times, dry eyes result as a consequence of aging, eye strain, or an abnormality in the structure of the eye. If the root cause can't be eliminated, your eye doctor can treat your dry eyes. Here are some methods he or she may try.
Artificial Tears
Artificial tears help keep your eyes moist when you don't make enough tears of your own. You may have to apply the tears a few times throughout the day and at night before you go to bed. You can buy artificial tears over the counter at a pharmacy, but it is a good idea to get a brand recommendation from your optometrist so you buy the best kind for your eyes. Some drops are watery and others are thick. The thicker eye drops provide the most relief for your dry eyes because they adhere to your eyes longer. However, they can make your vision blurry.
Plugs
Your optometrist might recommend putting plugs in the tear drains so tears stay in your eyes longer. You've probably noticed how your nose tends to run when you cry or when your eyes water. That's because tears are draining from the corners of your eyes into your nose. Your optometrist can place tiny plugs in your eyes that block tears from draining out. The procedure is quick and painless.
Prescription Eye Drops
You might be a good match for prescription eye drops. If your condition is caused by inflammation in your eyes, then anti-inflammatory drops might help. However, you may need to take the eye drops consistently for a few months until you have results.
Specialty Eyeglasses
Another option that you might want to consider is buying a pair of eyeglasses made for people with dry eyes. These are a combination of goggles and glasses. It looks like you're wearing traditional glasses, but inside the glasses is a set of eye cups that fit around your eyes. These block air from blowing into your eyes and drying them out further. The seal around the cup also holds moisture in your eyes because the humidity builds up inside the cups. This keeps your own tears from evaporating so fast.
Mild cases of dry eyes is an aggravation, but more serious cases can cause eye damage. Be sure to let your eye doctor know if your eyes frequently feel dry so an effective treatment can be started to protect your eyes and keep you feeling comfortable. Check with a local optometrist or De Venuto Joseph J for more help.