Dry Eyes And What You Can Do About It

Dry eyes is a relatively common condition. It’s typically uncomfortable and can be challenging to manage. Fortunately, there are a number of treatment options for dry eyes that can help those affected feel better and lead normal lives.

Symptoms Of Dry Eyes

Dry eyes can cause a number of annoying symptoms, including burning sensations and redness, vision that fluctuates when blinking, and a feeling of sandiness or gravel in your eyes. Wearing contact lenses may be difficult, and you might even experience excessive tearing as your eyes try to compensate.

In windy or dry conditions, the symptoms could get worse. If you visually concentrate on something for a long time, such as reading a book or working on a computer, the symptoms could be more pronounced. Some medications have been linked to causing dry eyes.

Your tears are a remarkable chemical mix—they protect, disinfect, hydrate, and lubricate. So dry eyes can make you susceptible to a number of other eye conditions, if not treated.

Treating Dry Eyes

Dry eyes is a condition that cannot be cured, but there are a number of treatments available. Your doctor’s goal is to supplement the tear film so that you have the comfort and protection that normally-produced tears provide. Your physician may prescribe artificial tears in drop or ointment form. Plugs that close or restrict tear drains can help increase the moisture in the eye. The plugs are unseen and unfelt, and this new technology has proven successful for many people. Because each person is different, it may take some time to find the right “balance” of medication or techniques to effectively manage dry eyes, but new instruments are helping doctors measure and understand how each patient is progressing, which accelerates the success of treatment.

It’s also important to look at patient environments to see if there are factors that may be contributing to dry eyes. Humidifiers installed at home or in offices may help alleviate symptoms. Treated lenses for glasses can help shield the eyes from UV or infrared radiation that may aggravate the eyes. Behavior changes—like simply taking breaks from extended periods of reading or work—can also help.

At Drs. Campbell, Cunningham, Taylor & Haun, your Knoxville area Ophthalmologist will work closely with you to create a custom plan of treatment for dry eyes that can quickly help you get back to a normal, comfortable routine.

Want to know more and see a video outlining symptoms and possible treatment options for dry eyes in Knoxville? Click to link to our page devoted to dry eyes.

If you’re having trouble with dry eyes, schedule an appointment with Drs. Campbell, Cunningham, Taylor & Haun at (865) 584-0905. Or click here, fill out the form and we will contact you to schedule an appointment.