Dry eyes are uncomfortable, frustrating, and impossible to ignore.
Treatment is available to restore comfort and reduce the hassle of dry eyes.
Feel like you've tried everything? A doctor can help.
The most obvious benefit is a lasting reduction in uncomfortable side effects like redness, itchiness, blurred vision, and that persistent feeling you have something in your eye.
Often, breaking bad habits and other small steps can make a huge difference. Set a timer to remind yourself to take breaks during computer use and talk to your doctor about medications that might be contributing to your condition.
Drops (both wetting and medicated), eyelid scrubs, and specially formulated supplements are painless and extremely easy to use.
Can treatment for dryness help with other problems?
How do I know if I should see a doctor?
Do your eyes sting, burn, water, or feel scratchy?
Are your eyes often red?
Do you have difficulty wearing contact lenses?
Have lifestyle changes and over-the-counter drops failed to provide a lasting improvement?
What are some other general guidelines before I seek treatment?
Sometimes dryness resolves after the weather changes or an irritant is avoided.
Most therapies, such as drops and lid scrubs, require some level of patient compliance.
Rule out other causes, such as corneal abrasion, so you can seek appropriate treatment.
Is It More Than Just an Annoyance?
For some people, dry eyes might simply be due to seasonal factors and never cause more than passing frustration. For others, the condition can impact their comfort and even quality of life.
Untreated dry eye syndrome can develop to a degree that it causes pain and blurred vision. Because a sufficient quantity of moisturizing tears is needed to protect the cornea, severe cases could lead to increased risk of infection, scarring, and ulcers on the surface of the eye.
I've heard about punctual plugs. How can those help?
The most exciting advancements in the treatment of dry eye are related to diagnosing the root cause of patients' symptoms. Corneal topographers, for example, can analyze how long it takes tears to evaporate. This can determine whether patients have an issue with meibomian gland function. Other systems test tear samples for signs of inflammation. On the treatment side, in-office machines that heat and massage the lids can ease discomfort.
I'm tired of dry eyes. How long will it take to see relief?
Some dry eye treatments, such as punctal plugs, require one step and may achieve nearly immediate relief. But most therapies, such as compresses, eyelid hygiene regimens, or medicated drops, require at least six weeks or up to several months before you can expect to see results. Unless your symptoms are seasonal, you will need to maintain these treatments year-round as long as your doctor recommends.
What is the simplest step I can take to prevent or minimize my symptoms?
Treating dry eyes takes patience. The best way to find whether conservative lifestyle adjustments will help is to keep careful track of when your symptoms flare up. Hay fever, a new face lotion, or starting a new medication might be the cause. Writing this information down and sharing it with your doctor is a good place start.
Once you've begun a type of treatment, stick to it. Your doctor can give you an estimate of how long it should take to notice an improvement. Assess how you feel and be honest if you're not happy with the results. You might respond better to another type of drop or entirely different treatment.
Effective dry eye treatment can literally be life-changing for some patients. Have your eyes been too dry to wear contacts? Do you avoid makeup because your eyes stream? Do you constantly feel like something is in your eye? All of these concerns can be overcome with the right intervention. Patients can generally expect better vision, greater comfort, and healthier, clearer-looking eyes.
What would a doctor want me to know today?
To effectively treat your condition, your doctor will first pinpoint the root cause of your dryness. If prescription eye drops cannot adequately manage your symptoms, you may need a procedure to treat the glands that produce tears. Temporarily plugging the tear ducts at the inner corners of the eyes might also be recommended. In severe cases, the drainage ducts can be permanently closed.
Dry eyes are a common problem that should not be ignored. Speak to an eye doctor about the cause of your symptoms for a personally tailored treatment plan.