Will My Eyes Be Dry With Dry Eye Syndrome?
June 30th, 2020
While this question may sound like it has the most obvious answer in the world, you may be surprised to find out that the answer is maybe. In fact, dry eye syndrome has quite a long list of symptoms that can appear or disappear depending on how severe your case is.
One of these symptoms is eyes that are actually very watery. This happens when your eyes detect a lack of moisture. They try to overcompensate, flooding your eyes with tears, sometimes to the point that it becomes difficult to see. Keep reading to learn more about dry eye syndrome!
Other Dry Eye Symptoms
Although it’s common to have dry eyes if you have dry eye syndrome, there are other symptoms that you may experience as well. Common symptoms include:
- Stinging and burning eyes
- Redness
- Swollen eyes
- Light sensitivity
- Blurry vision
- Tired eyes
- Difficulty driving at night
- Difficulty putting in your contacts
- A discharge of mucus in and around your eyes
Dry Eye Treatment and Management
Preventing dry eye in the first place is the first step towards getting it under control. One of the best ways to achieve this is to adopt better habits.
Smoking, for instance, causes a lot of health problems across the board. Besides increasing your risk of developing many different eye diseases, the smoke from smoking can get in your eyes and irritate them.
Quitting smoking should be a top priority. You should also limit screen time, as the overuse of computers, phones, or tablet screens can lead to computer vision syndrome and dry eye.
This is because we tend to forget to blink while we are using screens. Blinking is an important function for hydrating your eyes.
Altering your living space is another great way to prevent dry eye. Cleaning your home to remove dust, pollen, and other allergens are important.
Consider using a damp cloth instead of a normal dry duster, as particles will cling to the surface. You can also use an air filter to remove airborne allergens. Use air filters in conjunction with a humidifier to keep ambient moisture in the air.
If you are still experiencing symptoms, use eye drops to relieve them rather than rubbing your eyes. While rubbing your eyes may feel good at the moment, it will only cause more irritation and damage your eyes.
Use thicker eye drops for longer-lasting relief and thinner eye drops for fast-acting relief that won’t make your vision blurry. Ask your eye doctor if you’re not sure what kind of eye drops or artificial tears to use.
If your symptoms persist, you may have a chronic issue that needs to be resolved with medical help. Come into the Laser Eye Center for any vision problems, and we’ll help you solve them. Potential treatments include:
- Gland therapy to unblock oil-producing glands necessary for healthy tear production.
- Punctal plug inserts that are inserted into the tear ducts to slow tears from draining.
- Tear stimulating medication.
- Slow dissolving artificial tear inserts
With dry eye syndrome, it can often take a combination of things before you find the relief you’re looking for. This is why seeing your eye doctor is the best solution, as they can recommend other options or prescribe medications.
Tired of living with your dry eye symptoms? Get the help you need by requesting an appointment at the Laser Eye Center in Huntsville, AL. today!
