dry eye eyestrainHaving dry eyes is too common of a problem.
Much of the cause can be environmental and lifestyle related like staring at computer screens, being on certain medications and just plain not drinking your 9-12 cups a day of liquid.

Eyes can be dry from either having not enough tears or poor quality tears.
Tears are made of 3 layers – oils, water and mucous. The oils help prevent dehydration and the mucous helps the tears coat the eye evenly. If any of these layers is inadequate, your eyes could feel gritty, burny, tear or get red; all signs and symptoms of dryness. Serious dry eye untreated could lead to vision blur, scarring and eye infections.

Eyedrops can definitely help (don’t use the Ć¢ā‚¬Ėœget the red out’ ones, please. They can end up causing more irritation and problems) but usually more as a temporary relief. The best time to use drops is before the symptoms hit.
Depending on the cause of the dryness, I have found taking high dose Omega III to be a a promising way to tackle dry eyes. Omega III is a natural anti-inflammatory that can help the oil glands in your eyelids to produce clear, healthy oils keeping your eyes moist longer.
Warm compresses, lid cleansers, medication (ie, steroids, Restasis) and plug insertions can help as well, again depending on the reason why your eyes are dry in the first place.

There are tests that can be done to evaluate the cause and severity of dryness. These tests are painless and are very telling of what is going on and what can be done. Dry eyes is a treatable condition that can dramatically improve the quality of your vision and life if resolved. Please come in for an appointment if your eyes are at all causing irritation and preventing you from working productively and enjoying all the activities you should be.

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