Dry eye Archives

Are your eyes dry and uncomfortable to the point of making you miserable? If so, you might have a condition called dry eye. Your optometrist in New Albany, MS, can give you an exam and let you know if you do, in fact, have this condition and explain how they can help. But until then, here is what you need to know.

What Is Dry Eye?

Your eyes have three layers of tears that help protect them. Dry eye is a condition that negatively affects those tear film layers. There are different types of dry eye. Your eyes might not produce enough tears, your tears evaporate too quickly, or both.

How Dry Eye Is Diagnosed

Your optometrist will perform a comprehensive dry eye exam in New Albany, MS, and measure your tear production using one or more tests that measure the volume and quality of your tears.

Common Tests Used to Diagnose Dry Eye

There are three common tests used to diagnose dry eye.

1. Schirmer Tear Test

The Schirmer test involves placing a small piece of paper along the edge of your eyelids. After a few minutes, your optometrist will measure your tear production by examining how much of that paper is covered in tears.

2. Slit Lamp Exam

The Slit lamp exam involves shining a light into your eyes and then examining your eyes and eyelids using a microscope.

3. Tear Breakup Time (TBUT) Test

The TBUT test involves checking how quickly your tears evaporate. Your optometrist will put some dye into your eyes and will then use a microscope to see how long your tear film remains before it breaks up. The next step in this test involves measuring the time between your last blink and how quickly the first dry area of your cornea appears.

How to Treat Dry Eye

There are a variety of treatments for dry eye. Your optometrist might prescribe you some dry eye medications to reduce your eyelid inflammation and control cornea inflammation. There are also tear-stimulating medicines that help increase tear production. You might also be prescribed autologous blood serum drops if your eyes don’t respond to the other dry eye medicines. Just recently, the FDA approved a new prescription nasal spray that increases tear production.

There are also procedures your optometrist can perform to relieve your dry eye condition.

Eye Inserts
Closing Your Tear Ducts
Unblocking Oil Glands
Light Therapy and Eyelid Massage Technique
Special Contact Lenses

Are You Looking for a Reputable Optometrist in New Albany, MS?

If you think you might have dry eye, please Contact Weeden Eye Clinic today to schedule a comprehensive dry eye exam. The quicker you get a diagnosis, the quicker you will get some relief.

Dry eye is a condition that affects many people. When you have dry eye, your eyes might feel itchy and look red. Your eyes might also produce extra tears for lubrication, so you may notice that your eyes run more when you have this problem.

Your eye doctor in New Albany, MS can help treat your dry eye. There are also many things you can do to help control dry eye symptoms. Below, we’ve listed six things you can do to minimize this problem.

1. Wear Wrap Around Sunglasses Outside

Hot, dry air can dry your eyes when you spend a lot of time outside. Wearing wrap around sunglasses can help by protecting your eyes from hot, dry wind. This can help prevent your eyes from drying out.

2. Avoid Harsh Blow Drying

Just as the hot sun and wind can dry out your eyes, so can air from a hair dryer. If you must blow dry your hair, set your dryer on the coolest setting. Avoid blowing air into your eyes to keep your eyes moist and lubricated.

3. Maintain A Comfortable (Not Too Dry) Environment

Dry air at home can contribute to dry eyes. One thing you can do to control this problem is to humidify your home with a humidifier. Set up your humidifier in the room of your home where you spend the most time, like your living room or the bedroom.

4. Take Breaks from the Computer

Using devices like your computer for long periods can contribute to dry eye. Take computer breaks as you work to avoid dry eye from looking at your computer too long.

5. Use Over the Counter Eye Drops

Over the counter eye drops are good for lubricating your eyes. These eye drops are available for sale in pharmacies and other stores.

6. Avoid Smoke

Smoke is an irritant that can cause a variety of problems. Avoid exposure to smoke, whether it’s from a woodburning fire or from cigarettes.

Do you have dry eye? The professionals at Weeden Eye Clinic offer dry eye treatment in New Albany, MS. Call today to make an appointment.

What Is Dry Eye and Should You Be Concerned?