Dry Eye | Triggers and Treatments

If you’re experiencing a burning or stinging sensation in your eyes, light sensitivity, eye redness, blurred vision, or any similar concerns, you may be one of the many living with dry eye syndrome.  Also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, or KCS, dry eye is estimated to affect over 3.2 million Americans.  So what exactly is this condition, and how can it be treated?

Simply, dry eye occurs when there are not enough to tears to provide the right amount of moisture to your eyes.  Some people may experience dry eye because the tears they are producing are of poor quality, while others simply aren’t producing enough tears at all.  Since the eyes aren’t receiving the right amount of moisture, dryness occurs and can create a great deal of discomfort for patients.  To help further understand dry eye, explore some of the causes of this condition.

Causes of Dry Eye

There are a number of different factors that can bring dry eye about.  Let’s take a look at some of the more common causes.

• Age. Tear production decreases as we age, leaving those over the age of 65 particularly susceptible to the symptoms of dry eye.
• Gender. Women are more likely to develop dry eye than men, due to hormonal changes that can be brought on by anything from menopause to pregnancy.
• Health conditions. Certain medical conditions can increase one’s risk for developing dry eye, like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and any thyroid conditions.
• Environmental factors. Those in dry and windy climates are at a greater risk for dry eye, as are those who are exposed to smoke and anyone who doesn’t blink regularly.
• Medications. Certain blood pressure medications, antihistamines, decongestants, and antidepressants can lead to decreased tear production, thereby causing dry eye in patients taking them.

Dry Eye Treatments

Luckily, there are treatment options available for patients living with the discomfort caused by dry eye.  Artificial tears are commonly used to treat this condition, as well as prescription eyedrops like RESTASIS®.  Use of a punctal plug is also a common treatment option, as it is a tool that prevents liquid from draining from the eye.  Contact your doctor today to find out which option will be the most effective in managing your dry eye symptoms.

Dry Eye Treatment in Winchester

If you’re suffering from dry eye, contact us today to learn about your treatment options.  Our offices are located in Winchester, serving Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland, and you can reach us directly at (540) 722-6200.  We hope to hear from you soon.

Source: http://www.seeclear.com/blog/dry-eye-carerestasis/dry-eye-triggers-and-treatments

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