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Dry eyes cause a range of symptoms, such as blurry vision, light sensitivity, itching, and redness. If you are feeling any of these symptoms, you should understand what’s going on and what your eye doctor can do about it. Here’s what you should know about dry eyes and how it can be treated.

Why Are Tears Important?

Tears should always be present in your eyes. They are made of four main components, which all serve vital purposes; water moisturizes, oils lubricate, mucus helps spread tears, and antibodies fight infections. A lack of tears can cause a lot of discomfort and leave you susceptible to an infection.

What Causes Dry Eyes?

eye doctorDry eyes result from a problem with the tear system—or the special glands that produce and release tears. While it can affect people of all ages, it’s most common in older individuals. It can be a side effect of a medication such as antihistamines or a symptom of another disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or Sjogren’s syndrome.

How Can It Be Treated?

For mild or occasional cases, over-the-counter artificial tears can get the job done. However, people with a more severe case or chronic condition should work with their eye doctor to treat the underlying cause. Your doctor may prescribe a different medication if it’s an unwanted side effect, or there might be another medication that can be used to stimulate tear production or control cornea or eyelid inflammation. Eyelid conditions can also be fixed with surgery. Your eye doctor may recommend special contact lenses that are designed for dry eyes, use light therapy to unclog blocked glands, or give you inserts that slowly dissolve into artificial tears.

 

If your eyes are uncomfortably dry, don’t wait to get help. Midwest Eye Center: A Division of TriState Centers for Sight helps thousands of patients each year across the Greater Cincinnati, OH, area. They have over 34 years of eye care experience, and their state-of-the-art office is equipped to provide a full range of services, including glaucoma and cataract treatment. Visit them online to learn more about their services, or call (859) 525-6215 to schedule an appointment with an eye doctor today.

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