When you have dry eye, it can be extremely uncomfortable and even painful. However, some treatments can make it easier to live with. At Chapel Hills Vision Clinic, we have been providing residents of Colorado Springs, CO, with reliable eye care services, including dry eye treatment, for many years.
Symptoms of Dry Eye
When you have dry eyes, there are several symptoms that you may experience. Your eyes may feel scratchy, or you may have a burning or stinging sensation. Sometimes there are strings of mucus in your eyes. Your eyes may be red, and you may feel like there is something in your eyes. You may also be more sensitive to light and have trouble wearing contacts. Your eyes may get watery, and you may have tired eyes or blurry vision. You may have trouble seeing well enough to drive at night. You may have only one symptom or experience several at once.
Causes of Dry Eye
The tear film that is on the front of the eyes is made up of three layers. It has mucus, fatty oils, and an aqueous fluid. All of these combine to create a healthy teat film. If one of these layers is having a problem, your eyes can suffer as a consequence. The eyes will not be as well-lubricated, causing them to be too dry.
Potential causes of dry eye include autoimmune diseases, changes in hormone levels, allergic eye disease, and eyelid glands that are inflamed. In some cases, tear film reduction is caused by tears that evaporate too quickly or inadequate tear production. It is often caused by dry air, which is more common in the winter. Getting older can also cause the condition, as can taking certain medications. There is a wide range of medications that can interfere with tear production. Being around smoke can cause dry eyes, as can working for long hours at a computer. Our eye doctor will assess your condition to determine what is causing your dry eyes before recommending treatments and lifestyle adjustments to ease your discomfort and prevent it from returning in the future.
Dry Eye Treatment in Colorado Springs, CO
Call Chapel Hills Vision Clinic today at (719) 599-5083 for more information on dry eye treatment or to schedule an appointment with our optometrist.