Dry Eye Treatment
The National Eye Institute indicates that people develop dry eyes due to their eyes not making enough tears. Some people also have an eye condition that causes their eyes to use tears incorrectly. In that situation, dry eyes can occur due to your glands producing insufficient tears for your eyes to stay wet or your tears dry too quickly. Recognizing the symptoms of this condition and seeking dry eye treatment in New Albany MS is vital to your eye health and personal comfort.
Common Symptoms of Dry Eye
The most common symptom people report when visiting an optometrist for dry eye is feeling like something is in the eye. The eye may also feel scratchy. Other typical symptoms of this common condition include:
- Blurry vision
- Burning or stinging sensations in one or both eyes
- Light sensitivity
- Red eyes from excessively rubbing the eyes for relief
Below are the risk factors that can cause this condition.
- Certain medical conditions, including Sjogren syndrome and lupus.
- Contact lens wearer
- Diet does not include enough Vitamin A foods, such as broccoli and carrots, or omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish and walnuts.
- Female
- Over age 50
- Spending hours every day in front of a computer with few breaks
If you recognize any of these symptoms, or even if you have some of the risk factors without symptoms, we encourage you to contact Weeden Eye Clinic as soon as possible. Dr. Michael Weeden will examine your eyes and determine if you could benefit from dry eye treatment.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Dry Eye Disease at Weeden Eye Clinic
To determine if you have a dry eye condition, Dr. Weeden dilates your eyes and measures the thickness, health, and amount of your tears. If any of these are inadequate, he will recommend specific treatment methods to encourage your eyes to produce high-quality tears consistently. We outline some of the treatment options below.
Prescription or over-the-counter eye drops
People with mild dry eye typically do well with non-prescription eye drops, also known as artificial tears. You should notice a difference in the moisture level of your eyes and your personal comfort within a few days. Dr. Weeden will prescribe a stronger form of artificial tears for those who struggle to produce tears even after using over-the-counter eye drops.
Lifestyle changes
You have more power than you think when it comes to resolving your dry eye condition. For example, wind, air conditioning, and cigarette smoke can all aggravate dry eye symptoms, so you should try to avoid these things. Be sure to get enough sleep and limit screen time as well.
These are just a few of the ways we provide dry eye treatment in New Albany, MS. Please reach out with additional questions or to schedule an appointment.
