Posted by: Dr. Ramsarat in Dry Eye
Dry eyes are an uncomfortable condition. They occur when the eyes cannot produce enough or quality tears to lubricate the eye surface adequately. As a result, they can evaporate quickly, leading to inflammation around or in the eye.
When the eye surface has inadequate moisture, you are likely to experience symptoms such as burning or stinging in your eyes. Dry eyes can also cause eye pain, blurring vision, eye redness, and a gritty sensation in the eye. Sometimes, the eyes can water excessively due to the irritability of the condition.
Fortunately, seeing an eye doctor can help you get the treatment that can relieve your eyes. They can find the ideal ways to reduce and eliminate your dry eye symptoms. Sometimes, external factors or underlying conditions can lead to eye dryness. Read on to learn how a doctor can treat dry eyes.
Over-The-Counter Medication
Over-the-counter eye drops or artificial tears are among the most popular dry eye treatments. They moisten the eyes and help relieve moderate symptoms. Using over-the-counter eye drops several times a day can help lubricate your eyes. Eye drops that reduce eye redness may not be ideal as they constrict blood vessels. As a result, the eyes can experience irritation.
Over-the-counter ointments can also help. They coat eyes better than eye drops. However, they can cloud your vision, making them ideal for use before bedtime.
Prescription Medication
Your eye doctor can prescribe oral or eye drop medication to treat your dry eyes. Most of these drugs reduce eyelid inflammation. Swollen eyelids prevent oil glands from releasing oil into your tear film. As a result, the lack of oil causes the tears to evaporate quickly.
Your doctor can prescribe anti-inflammatory antibiotics if the eye dryness stems from inflammation. Some antibiotics can also stimulate oil production in the glands around the eyes.
Procedures
Some procedures can help with the treatment of chronic dry eyes. They include the following:
Unblocking clogged oil glands – Your specialist can recommend LipiFlow® Thermal Pulsation System to unclog your blocked oil glands. The procedure entails placing something like a large contact lens behind your eyelids and over your eye. They will then place another shield outside your eyelids and apply heat. The entire procedure takes up to 12 minutes.
Closing tear ducts – Your eye doctor can recommend a partial or permanent plugging of your tear ducts. As a result, the tears you produce stay longer as they will have no space to drain. Punctal plugs are removable.
Specialized Contact Lenses
Bandage or scleral contact lenses can help relieve your dry eye symptoms. Such lenses prevent moisture from escaping and help protect your eye surface.
Eye Inserts
Your eye doctor can recommend eye inserts if eye drops do not treat your dry eye condition. The inserts are small tubes that look like clear rice grains. They are out in the eyes like contact lenses between the lower eyelid and the eyeballs. They help keep the eyes moist by releasing medication throughout the day.
For more about dry eyes, visit Dr. Veronica Ramsarat OD at our office in New York, New York. Call (212) 808-4888 to book an appointment today.
