Do you have Dry Eyes?
Dry Eyes bothering you? The experts at FVC are here to help
What is dry eye?
Dry eye is a condition where the body is unable to make enough of
its own tears to protect the outer layer of the eye.
How do you get dry
eye?
Dry eye is most common in people; who use the computer regularly,
living in very dry environments, over the age of 55, or contact
lens wearers. It is a very common disease.
What are the symptoms of dry
eye?
The most common symptoms of dry eyes are blurred vision, reddish
pigment on the sclera, burning or itching, you may feel as thought
you have something in the eye, also it will be uncomfortable to
wear your contact lenses and may feel sore.
What causes dry
eye?
Dry eye is the body’s inability to produce enough tears to protect
the eye. Cells on the front of the cornea become sick and
eventually leading to the evaporation of the tear film. Dry eye can
also be caused by allergies, auto-immune disease, eye surgery, eye
infections, hormone changes, contact lens wear and certain drugs
such as oral antihistamines, anti-depressants, and hormone
replacement therapy. Some environmental factors for dry eye include
exposure to cigarette smoke and other chemicals.
How do we treat dry
eye?
Discussing your symptoms with your eye care provider is the first
step in treating you dry eye. Many different therapies are
available to treat the symptom but not all treatments produce
immediate results. Depending on the cause of your dry eye condition
your doctor will be able to put together a treatment plan that is
right for you. Some common treatments include artificial tear
preparations, lubricant ointments, nutritional supplements, oral
and topical medications, and punctual occlusion which is a
mechanism for partial or total blockage of the drainage of the tear
film.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or you think you may have dry eye contact your eye care provider for a consultation and get on your way to having healthier more comfortable eyes.
Take our Dry Eye Questionnaire to find out if you have dry eyes.
