Do your eyes feel still, gritty and dry? Do you suffer from constant eye fatigue that makes it difficult to be able to look at and visually respond to something? Do you feel that your vision lacks clarity and you are struggling with seeing clearly and comfortably? If you can answer ‘yes’ to any of these questions, you may be suffering from a condition known as dry eyes.
We understand the frustrations that occur when your eyes are uncomfortable and your vision is compromised, which affects your ability to do some of the activities that you enjoy the most. Fortunately, our dedicated eye care team has the knowledge and experience to be able to offer patients a range of different, comprehensive solutions for all manner of eye conditions, including dry eyes.
What Causes Dry Eyes?
Dry eyes, or dry eye syndrome as it is often called, can be caused by a variety of different things. In some instances, finding out the cause will better enable us to treat it. However, in most cases, dry eyes occur when there is either an imbalance in the ingredient used to produce tear film, the glands responsible for the production of the tear film aren’t working properly, or the moisture is draining too quickly.
Some of the most common reasons why these things might happen include the following:
- The natural aging process, such as menopause, and the hormone fluctuations that occur.
- As a side effect of taking certain medications, such as antihistamines and anti-depressants.
- They have been diagnosed with an eye disease that affects their ability to make tear films, such as collagen vascular diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjogren’s syndrome.
- Issues with the eyelids, such as blepharitis.
Treating Dry Eyes
There are a number of different options for treating dry eyes, and our expert team will be able to advise you on the most suitable solution for you. Some of the treatments that you may be recommended to consider could include the following:
Artificial Tears
By far the most common treatment, artificial tears are non-invasive and simple to use. Unfortunately, there is no single product that works for everyone and so it may be a case of trial and error to find the variety that suits you best. In some cases, patients are advised to use steroid eye drops in addition to artificial tears. These can only be used for a short while and should be taken exactly as directed due to their potency.
Punctual Plugs
If we believe that you are suffering from dry eyes because the tear film is draining too quickly, we may recommend that you try using punctual plugs. These tiny little devices are placed into the drainage chambers of each eye to help keep the moisture on the surface of the eye for longer, alleviating your symptoms. Punctual plugs may be a little awkward to fit, but the process is painless and once they are in place, you won’t be able to feel them.
Lipiflow
The Lipiflow treatment system for dry eyes uses electronic impulses of pressure and heat which are applied to the eyes in order to stimulate the gland responsible for producing tear film. Lipiflow is very effective at eliminating blockages within the ducts through which tear film flows to the eyes.
If you think that you may be suffering from dry eyes, our experienced eye care team at Jarvis Vision Center in Murray, KYÂ Â are on hand to assist you. We can diagnose your condition and create a treatment plan that enables you to achieve relief from your symptoms, the best possible vision and start living life to the full again.
