All You Need to Know About Dry Eye and Its Treatment

A persistent loss of lubrication and moisture on the surface of the eye causes dry eyes. To maintain your eyes healthy, comfortable, and seeing well, you need an appropriate and continuous coating of tears on the surface of the eye. Tears moisten the eye's surface and wash away dust, dirt, and germs that might harm the cornea and cause an infection.

Symptoms

• You get a stinging and burning sensation in your eyes.
• Seeing things blurry, especially when reading
• There's a scratchy or gritty sensation in your eye as if something is in it.
• You have mucus strings in or around your eyes.
• Your eyes are inflamed or red. It is especially true if you are exposed to the wind or cigarette smoke.
• Wearing contact lenses is an unpleasant experience.
• Your eyes are filled with tears.

Tests and Examinations

A doctor of optometry may perform the following tests and procedures to figure out what's causing your dry eyes:

• A thorough eye examination. Your Optometrist can determine the reason for your dry eyes with an eye exam. This exam includes a comprehensive history of your overall health as well as your eye health.
• A test to determine the number of tears you shed. Your doctor can use the Schirmer test to assess your tear production. Under your lower eyelids, blotting strips of paper are put in this test. Your doctor will measure the amount of strip soaked by your tears after five minutes.
• The phenol red thread test is another method used by experienced optometrists for determining tear volume. A thread loaded with pH-sensitive dye (tears change the dye color) is put across the lower eyelid, wetted with tears for 15 seconds, and tear volume is then quantified.

Treatment and Medications

Most persons with infrequent or mild dry eye symptoms may get by using over-the-counter eye drops (artificial tears). You have alternative options if your symptoms are persistent and significant. What you do will be determined by the cause of your dry eyes.

Some therapies aim to cure or manage the ailment or cause that is causing your dry eyes. Other treatments from eye care Optometry can enhance the quality of your tears or prevent them from emptying too fast from your eyes. The following prescription medicines are used to treat dry eyes:

Anti-inflammatory drugs for the eyelids: Oil glands can't secrete oil into your tears if they're inflamed at the border of your eyelids. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to help decrease inflammation. Antibiotics for dry eyes are often taken by mouth, although some are also available as eye drops or ointments.

Final Thoughts

Try over-the-counter eye drops to alleviate your discomfort while you wait for your appointment with the best Optometrist in South Bronx. Avoid eye drops that claim to reduce redness in the eyes and instead look for lubricating eye drops (artificial tears). Eye Drops that decrease eye redness might irritate the eyes even more.

Location: Optometrist Bronx 811 Southern Boulevard Bronx, NY 10459