OOMC News

Dry eye syndrome is a difficult condition to deal with and we understand the pain and irritation it can cause. If you’re dealing with the irritating symptoms of dry eyes such as itching, burning, and blurry vision, it’s important to find relief as soon as possible.

If you are experiencing symptoms and think you may be suffering from dry eye syndrome, set up an appointment with your doctor so he can perform an evaluation. During this evaluation, the doctor will examine the inner and outer parts of your eyelids, as well as the quantity and quality of tears your eyes are producing.

Aside from simply wanting relief, it’s important to see a doctor because it’s possible for dry eyes to cause further damage to the eye. A lack of tears in the eyes also means a lack of protection, which can make your eyes more susceptible to injury. Getting treatment for your dry eyes will help protect them and reduce the uncomfortable symptoms.

If your dry eyes are very mild, you may be able to relieve the symptoms by using simple treatment methods. If you find these methods help your eyes enough that you don’t need any further treatment, it’s still recommended that you see a doctor just to be safe.

Be Sure to Blink

It’s common for people to experience dry eyes throughout the day, especially if they wear contacts or stare at a computer screen all day long. If you work with computers, try to remember the 20-20-20 rule. For every 20 minutes that you spend looking at a computer screen, stop and focus on an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This will help your eyes restore lubrication. Setting a timer is a good way to help you remember to do this.

Use Over the Counter Artificial Tears to Supplement

Since your eyes aren’t producing enough lubrication on their own, it’s a good idea to supplement with artificial tears. These eye drops are formulated with various elements found naturally in your own tears in order to help keep your eyes moist and comfortable. Be sure to use artificial tears and avoid decongestant eye drops advertised for red eyes. If the wrong eye drops are used, dry eye symptoms can increase.

If you’ve tried these methods without improvement, it’s critical to have your condition evaluated by a doctor. Your dry eyes may be serious and should be treated professionally. Treatment options for more severe cases of dry eyes are as follows:

• Prescribed Eye Drops – There are several different types of prescription eye drops based on your dry eyes. Depending on the type of eye drops your doctor prescribes, they can reduce the inflammation of your eyes, or work like artificial tears—only more effectively.
• LipiFlow – A painless, fast in-office treatment that applies soothing heat and gentle pressure to clear the blocked glands that secrete oil in the eye and restore normal function to your meibomian glands. This 12-minute procedure will leave you feeling better and ready to get back to life.
• BlephEx – BlephEx treats patients suffering from blepharitis, a chronic inflammatory disease of the eyelid caused by an overgrowth of normal bacteria living along the lashes. BlephEx treatment is a painless and quick in office procedure that cleans and exfoliates the eyelid and lashes and helps increase your production of natural tears. In just 4 weeks, you’ll feel better and relieved.

When to Consult A Doctor

The best time to see your doctor about your dry eyes is when you experience symptoms. Your doctor can evaluate your eyes and provide an individual treatment plan for you. He or she will be able to determine why you are experiencing dry eye symptoms and how best to treat them. For more information about symptoms and treatment options, visit our website, or schedule a consultation with a Ludwick physician.