Are you struggling with dry, itchy eyes? Does it feel like something is stuck in your eye, but there’s nothing there? If this sounds like you, you might have dry eye. Dry eye happens when your eyes don’t have enough tears to keep them moist. Ignoring it can lead to serious eye problems, including damage to your cornea.
Dry eye is a very common condition, especially among the elderly and women. While it doesn’t have a cure, treatment can help manage the symptoms and improve your overall eye health. Keep reading to learn more about this condition, its symptoms, its causes, and how to find relief.
Understanding dry eye
Dry eye happens when your eyes don’t make enough tears or the tears aren’t great quality. Tears are important because they help keep your eyes moist and comfortable. Without enough tears or the right quality of tears, your eyes can get dry, irritated, and itchy.
The symptoms of dry eye can vary from person to person, but some common signs include itching, stinging, redness, and sensitivity to light. You might also experience blurry vision, a gritty feeling in your eyes, or watery eyes, which is your body’s way of trying to make up for the lack of moisture in your eyes.
Common causes of dry eye
There are many factors that can lead to dry eye, including:
- Age: As we get older, our ability to naturally produce tears decreases.
- Medications: Some medications, like antihistamines, decongestants, and antidepressants, can make your eyes feel dry.
- Gender: Women are more likely to develop dry eye due to hormonal changes that occur throughout their lives.
- Computer use: Spending too much time staring at screens can dry out your eyes.
- Environmental factors: Dry and windy conditions, smoke, and air pollution can all irritate your eyes.
- Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as Sjogren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and thyroid disorders, can increase your risk of developing dry eye.
Treatment for dry eye
One of the best ways to treat dry eyes is to use artificial tears. Lifestyle changes like drinking more water, using a humidifier at home, and taking frequent breaks from screens may also help. In some cases, your dry eye may require more advanced treatment. At Tuscaloosa EyeCare, Pickens County EyeCare, and Hale County EyeCare, we offer a range of treatments for dry eye, including:
- Cynosure Icon: This advanced technology combines laser technology with intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy to help stimulate tear production and improve the quality of your tears. It also helps minimize fine lines, wrinkles, uneven pigmentation, and other signs of aging.
- TempSure Envi: This gentle radiofrequency treatment promotes natural tear production while also providing anti-aging benefits such as tightening skin and reducing wrinkles.
- TearCare System: This innovative system effectively clears blocked meibomian glands, which produce an essential part of your tears, helping to relieve dry eye symptoms.
If your eyes are feeling itchy, it’s important to talk to an eye doctor to figure out what’s causing it. Our eye doctors at Tuscaloosa EyeCare in Northport, Pickens County EyeCare in Reform, and Hale County EyeCare in Greensboro specialize in diagnosing and treating dry eye, offering a range of effective treatment options. Don’t let itchy eyes disrupt your daily life; reach out to our team today!