Dry eyes can be due to many reasons. Looking at a screen for long periods without blinking, wearing contact lenses, living in a dry and hot region, and taking certain medications are some reasons for dry eyes.
What Is Dry Eye?
Dry eye disease doesn’t allow your eyes to make enough tears to cover your cornea. Or when your tears don’t work and evaporate too quickly, it causes dry eyes. Dry eyes are an uncomfortable condition for an individual, resulting in many symptoms, such as itching, burning, and a gritting feeling in the eyes. Dry eyes may also cause vision problems.
Dry Eyes Management, Symptoms, and Treatment
According to the American Optometric Association, more than 16 million people in America suffer from dry eye disease. Women make up a larger portion of affected individuals than men.
Do Dry Eyes Need to Be Treated?
It is important to treat dry eyes as it can lead to complications such as corneal ulcers. Tears protect your eyes against eye infections and inflammation, and insufficiency will lead to corneal abrasions. Dry eyes also interfere with your daily activities, such as reading and driving.
Dry Eyes Symptoms
Along with burning and itching of the eyes, dry eyes can produce the following symptoms;
- Sensitivity to light
- Mucous coming out of the eye
- Watery eyes
- Eye strain.
Dry Eyes Management
Doctors treat dry eyes in the following order;
- Relieving symptoms
- Helping the patient see clearly
- Minimizing damage to the eye surface
- Treating the root cause of dry eyes.
What Is the First Line Treatment for Dry Eyes?
The first line treatment for dry eyes is to optimize the meibomian glands function. This can be done by using warming eye masks and warm compresses.
Your doctor will ask you to avoid environmental triggers, such as getting close to air vents, cigarette smoke, allergens, and wind. If you live in an area that experiences low humidity levels, you can place a humidifier in your house for your comfort.
Do not spend long hours on a computer or mobile screen, and remember to blink more often. Doctors also prescribe omega-3 fatty acid supplements, which support tear formation.
Medications for Dry Eyes
Certain medicines, such as nasal sprays, cyclosporine, anti-inflammatory drops, and corticosteroids, can help relieve symptoms of dry eyes. Your doctor will prescribe eye drops, serum drops, and ointments to treat your dry eye disease.
Avoid certain medications that can worsen your symptoms, such as antihistamines; eye drops with preservatives, and beta blockers. Certain special medical devices, such as therapeutic contact lenses, can lubricate and protect the surface of your eyes.
Conclusion
It is easy to ignore dry eyes as a temporary strain caused by driving or using screens for long hours. But chronic dry eye disease can cause long-term damage to your eyes. Take care of your eyes with The Rx Helper, a leading Prescription Assistance Program company that helps thousands of Americans get assistance in buying prescription medicines. Contact us now.
