Dealing with Dry Eye
The dry eye seems like nothing more than a temporary problem based on things such as maybe being dehydrated or being out on a windy day or something like that. Dry eye is a condition in which the eyes are insufficiently lubricated, leading to itching, redness, and pain. The cause is usually tear production — either there isn’t a sufficient amount of tears being produced, or there is a chemical imbalance in tears themselves.
Dr. Shams is expert in diagnosing and treating dry eye. After all, this condition is not simply a case of buying some eye drops; if left untreated, dry eye can damage your vision.
What causes dry eye?
The dry eye becomes more common with age, especially when the person passes age 50. It can also be the result of taking certain medications, medical conditions, or even injuries. Hormonal changes during pregnancy and menopause, and taking oral contraceptives make the condition more prevalent in women.
Here are some other causes of dry eye:
- Antihistamines, decongestants, and blood-pressure medications
- Smoke, wind, and excessive sun
- Long-term contact lens use
- Eye injury
- Eye or eyelid surgery
- Inflammation of the eye
- Rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, thyroid disease
Symptoms
Dry eye usually affects both eyes. Here are the typical symptoms:
- Stinging, burning, or scratchiness
- Eye fatigue
- Sensitivity to light
- Difficulty wearing contact lenses
- Excessive tearing
- Blurry vision
Treating dry eye
Dr. Shams will try various nonsurgical treatments when first addressing dry eye. These include deliberate blinking, increasing humidity levels at home and work, using artificial tears, avoiding environmental irritants, stopping medications that are responsible, and adding omega-3 fatty acids to diet or through supplements.
If those methods don’t correct dry eye, Dr. Shams has vast experience with surgical solutions. Through surgery, she can insert punctual plugs to limit tear drainage, or she can use punctual cautery to permanently close those same drainage holes.
If you have the symptoms of dry eye, please call Dr. Shams on 07488 909 008 and let’s check it out.
Posted in: Dry Eyes
