Dry eye syndrome occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly. As a result, you can experience itching, swelling, and even blurry vision. At Clearwater Eye and Laser Center in Clearwater, FL, we provide eye exams to learn more about your condition and treatments to relieve any discomfort. Continue reading to learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatments of dry eye.
Causes of Dry Eye
Dry eye can be caused by a variety of factors, such as excess screen time or environmental factors. Some other causes of the condition include:
- Age
- Certain medications
- Allergies
- Medical conditions
- Smoking
- Contact lenses
Recognizing the Symptoms
Those with dry eye syndrome may experience various symptoms, including irritation, grittiness, eye redness, and watery eyes. Not only that, but the condition can also lead to blurry vision or light sensitivity. If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek professional help as soon as possible. Delaying treatment can increase the chances of an eye infection or cause corneal scarring.
Treatments
The first thing to do is address any environmental issues. It’s important to avoid smoking and use a humidifier to your home to add moisture to your hair. If you take any medications and it is causing dry eye, speak with you doctor about a different option. When utilizing digital devices, make sure you take frequent brakes and blink more often.
You can also buy OTC eye drops that can help keep your eyes moisturized. If these are not effective, our ophthalmologists can prescribe eye drops that can alleviate your symptoms. Additionally, we can discuss other treatments, such as punctal plugs, which prevent tears from draining.
Contact Clearwater Eye and Laser Center for an Appointment Today
If you are dealing with dry eye, our doctors, Dr. Linsey and Dr. Perich, at Clearwater Eye and Laser Center in Clearwater, FL, can help. To learn more about our treatments and to schedule an appointment, call our office at (727) 446-7578 today. You can also browse our website to find out about our services or stop by in person.