If you are one of the millions of people affected by dry eyes, you know how uncomfortable it can make your eyes feel and how much you want relief. If you are suffering from dry eyes, you need to see our optometrist in Virginia Beach, VA. Dr. Seim at Atlantic EyeCare is here to help when your eyes are red and irritated. Let’s look at a few of the questions that we run into regarding dry eye.
How do I know if what I have is dry eye?
If you feel like you have sand in your eyes if they are red and watery, your eyes are burning and you have blurry vision, chances are you have dry eyes. Other signs that you may have dry eye include sensitivity to light and mucus that is stringy close to your eye.
What causes dry eyes?
Many things contribute to causing dry eyes. One component is genetic, and recent studies have confirmed that if members of your family suffer from dry eyes, there is a greater chance that you will also suffer from it. Some of the other things that can contribute are:
Medication
Some medications can contribute to getting dry eyes. If you suffer from allergies, you may take decongestants and antihistamines. Both of which have dry eyes as a side effect. If you are suffering from depression, you may be taking antidepressants that can also result in dry eyes. Blood pressure medicine can result in a lower amount of tear production. The importance of these medications means that you have to continue to take them despite of the drying of your eyes.
Aging
Having your eyes become dry is a normal result of getting older. By the time people are 65 years old, most people have some symptoms of dry eyes.
Long Term Use of Contacts
Contacts are a great way to avoid having to wear glasses but they can end up causing you to suffer from dry eyes. Contact lenses are very good at soaking up moisture from your eye and that is a problem.
Gender
If you are a woman, you are almost twice as likely to suffer from dry eyes like a man.
What treatments are available for dry eye?
In some cases, an over-the-counter tear solution is a simple answer. If you need more, our eye doctor can prescribe eye drops to increase tear production. One way to keep tears in your eyes is to block your tear ducts with plugs or permanently with a surgical procedure. These procedures are often reserved for the most severe cases of dry eye.
Contact Our Optometrist in Virginia Beach, VA
If you are suffering from dry eye, you can count on Dr. Seim at Atlantic EyeCare for the latest in treatment options. Call our team today at (757) 340-7070 or reach us through our website by using our online contact form.