It is estimated that 30% of Canadians and about 4.88 million Americans suffer from dry eye.
Dry eye is a common condition that occurs when your tears aren’t able to provide adequate lubrication for your eyes. Tears are necessary for maintaining the health of the front surface of your eyes and for providing clear vision.
Causes
Dry eye can be caused by different things, including:
- Aging
- Medications
- Medical conditions
- Exposure to wind or dry environments
- LASIK or other types of eye surgery
- Smoking
Symptoms
Dry eye can cause some different symptoms, including:
- Eye fatigue
- Burning or stinging eyes
- Redness
- Itchy eyes
- Stringy mucus in or around your eyes
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Difficulty wearing contact lenses
Risk factors of dry eye
There are a number of different risk factors for dry eye, including:
- Female gender
- Age over 50
- Postmenopausal
- Use of certain medications, such as antihistamines, decongestants, and beta-blockers
- Medical conditions, such as Sjögren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and thyroid problems
- Exposure to wind, smoke, or dry environments
Prevention
There are many things you can do to prevent dry eye, including:
- Use eye lubricants (You can get those from Ogden Pharmacy)
- Use a humidifier
- Take breaks when you’re reading, working on the computer, or watching television
- Blink often
- Wear sunglasses or protective eyewear when you’re outdoors
- Avoid smoke and other irritants
Treatment
If you have dry eye, there are different treatment options available, including:
- Artificial tears
- Antibiotics
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Surgery
If you have dry eye, it’s important to see your doctor or your pharmacist for an evaluation.
Do you live in Ogden or Riverbend? Ogden Pharmacy’s pharmacists will be happy to discuss and give some preliminary advice on the dry eye condition. They can also provide you with over-the-counter medicines to temporarily tackle your dry eyes until you see your doctor or eye specialist.
