Itchy, red and irritated eyes. Suffering from this malady may not be the worst health problem one can encounter, but it is certainly one of the most frustrating. Dry eyes are caused by a medley of factors: the aging process, structural problems that don’t allow eyes to close properly and even side effects from certain prescription medications. Some suffer from diseases that inhibit the eye’s natural tear-making process, like Sjogren’s Syndrome or arthritis.
The side effects of dry eyes can range from pain or a feeling of having something in one’s eye to light sensitivity and itching. Some even experience blurred vision. Depending on the severity of the symptoms of dry eye, several methods of relief may be employed.
The first and most common is simple eye lubricants and ointments, some of which are available over the counter. For those suffering from chronic dry eye, it is necessary to apply eye drops even when they aren’t in pain or their eyes seem normal. The only prescription eye drop to help the eye increase its own tear production currently is Restasis.
A more aggressive treatment is temporary punctal occlusion, which is a process that inserts a dissolvable plug into the tear drain of the lower eyelid. This is done in order to keep tears in the eye rather than draining. If this route works for the sufferer, permanent punctal occlusion is usually incorporated. This is the same process except silicone plugs are used instead of dissolvable ones.
Sometimes optometrists will prescribe other medications to help increase tear production. Steroids that can be applied to the skin around the eye are just one example. If none of these methods prove to be effective, surgery might be ordered for the patient. When surgery is performed, the ducts that drain tears down through the nasal cavity are permanently closed. This outpatient surgery allows more tears to stay around and in the eye socket, thus keeping the eyes lubricated enough without eye drops.
If you think you suffer from dry eyes, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our office is in Ogden and our optometrist will ease your suffering.
Tags: Do I need to see an optometrist, What is dry eyes, Where is there an optometrist in Ogden
