Can Dry Eye Be a Symptom of Another Disease?

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For most people, dry eye is more of an annoyance than anything else. In fact, millions can go years ignoring the condition without suffering any major consequences. However, there are cases where dry eyes are more serious, and never more so when they’re a symptom of a bigger condition rather than the primary problem.

Can Dry Eyes Be a Symptom?

In some cases, dry eyes in Wellington, FL, are a byproduct of another disease. These can include:

  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Diabetes
  • Scleroderma
  • Sjogren’s
  • Lupus
  • Grave’s disease

For many of these disorders, dry eyes are not likely to be the first symptom that a person notices. What’s more common is that dry eyes can help a person confirm the possibility of a particular disorder, so they’re more likely to take action about it. For instance, Sjogren’s autoimmune disorder may start with dry eyes and mouth rather than a more noticeable event.

Should I Be Concerned About Standard Dry Eye?

Once you confirm what’s causing your dry eye, you might wonder if you need to be worried about the more standard causes. (Standard causes include a block in your meibomian glands, blinking habits, screen usage, etc.). For the most part, dry eyes are low on the list in terms of severity. However, this doesn’t mean that a person should ignore the problem. Severe dry eye is more than just uncomfortable, it can cause vision problems when you’re driving a vehicle, chopping in the kitchen, or any number of other critical tasks.

Optometrists in Wellington

If you’re ready to figure out the root cause of your dry eyes, visit an eye doctor in Wellington, FL, who can give you the facts. Family Vision Center PA’s staff is here to set the record straight and figure out a solution.

4 Ways to Treat Dry Eye

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Dry eye can be a nuisance that can cause discomfort. Dry eye can also interfere with your contact lenses. If you suffer from dry eye, your eye doctor in Wellington, FL can help keep your eyes healthy. Below are four things you can do to keep your eyes safe and healthy.

1. Add a Little Humidity

Dryness in the air can cause or exacerbate dry eyes. Adding a little humidity to the air in your home – particularly to the places where you spend the most time – can help alleviate symptoms of dry eye. Use a dehumidifier in your home in rooms like the bedroom or living room, where you spend the majority of your time.

2. Use Artificial Tears

Artificial tears are available for sale in pharmacies without a prescription. Artificial tears can help alleviate symptoms of dry eye by keeping your eyes moist and comfortable throughout the day. Keep bottles of artificial tears in your home, purse, office and other places that you frequent, and use artificial tears as indicated on the bottle.

3. Protect Your Eyes

Wear wrap around sunglasses when you’re outside, particularly on bright, sunny days. If you’re using a blow-dryer, protect your eyes from fast blowing air by using the lowest, coolest setting.

4. Talk to Your Eye Doctor

If you made all of the changes listed above and you’re still experiencing dry eye, talk to your eye doctor. Your eye doctor can provide dry eye treatment in Wellington, FL. You may be taking a medication that’s causing dry eye, or you may have a condition that needs treatment.

At Family Vision Center PA, we work with patients to identify the cause of their dry eye and prescribe medicines or take action as needed. If you suffer from dry eye, call today to make an appointment and learn more about what you can do.

What Is Dry Eye?

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Dry eye is a condition that can make your eyes look red and irritated. Dry eye can also make your eyes itchy, watery and generally uncomfortable. Some people get dry eye seasonally, while others experience dry eye because of medication or because of hormone changes, or because of factors in the environment. If you have dry eye, your eye doctor in Wellington, FL can help. Here’s what you need to know about this condition and how you can control its symptoms.

What Is Dry Eye?

Dry eye is a condition where the eyes don’t produce adequate tears to lubricate your eyes. If you have dry eye, your eyes may sting or burn, and they may even be watery (to compensate for the dryness). Dry eye is a condition that affects many adults.

What Can You Do to Reduce Dry Eye Symptoms?

If you have dry eye, over the counter eye drops can help lubricate your eyes and reduce some of the most unpleasant symptoms. You can also make changes to your lifestyle and environment to reduce symptoms.

  • Humidify the rooms of the house where you spend the most time.
  • Avoid blowing warm air into your eyes with the blow-dryer.
  • Avoid getting smoke in your eyes.
  • Wear wrap around glasses to block the wind when you’re engaging in outdoor activities like biking, running, skiing.
  • Give yourself frequent breaks when engaging in tasks like working at the computer.

Can Your Eye Doctor Help With Dry Eye?

Your eye doctor can help with dry eye in Wellington, FL. If your condition is severe, you may need extra dry eye treatment. To get help with your dry eye, contact Family Vision Center PA to make an appointment. We can help!

Sources

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-eyes/symptoms-causes/syc-20371863

Are Dry Eye Masks Good for Your Eyes?  

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If you suffer from dry eye in Wellington, FL, you probably already know that it’s a relatively common condition. However, just because it’s common, doesn’t mean it’s easy to cope with. While certainly not life threatening on its own, dry eyes can easily interfere with important tasks like driving or chopping. You might have seen dry eye masks on the market and wondered if they were good for your eyes. We look at the facts of dry eyes and when you should talk to a doctor.

How Dry Eye Masks Work

Your meibomian gland is located within the eyelid at the very outer edge. When it’s clogged, it can’t produce the oil that the tear needs to really lubricate itself. (When you think about your tears, you might think about water and salt. However, it’s really the oil that helps give your eye the sheen it needs to see.) Dry eye masks work by gently unclogging that gland so oil can flow.

Dry eye masks work by administering heat to the eyelid. The thinner the oil gets, the more likely that it will exit through the lid. This is safe for the eye, as long as the mask doesn’t get hot enough to burn your skin. However, it may not always fix the problem.

When to See an Eye Doctor in Wellington, FL

Dry eyes aren’t always the cause of a blocked gland. If you have allergies or other underlying conditions, you’ll want to see an optometrist in Wellington, FL who can help you decide on a better treatment path. At Family Vision Source, we’re here to recommend real solutions that can last. Whether you need prescription eye drops or just a better contact cleaning routine, contact us to learn more about how to get relief.

 

How do Scleral Lenses Help With Dry Eye?  

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Wearing traditional contact lenses when you have dry eye in Wellington, FL can be a little bit challenging. The lack of hydration that is symptomatic of dry eye typically makes it uncomfortable to wear regular contact lenses. Although eyeglasses are one good solution, there is another. Scleral lenses offer a way to correct vision problems for those with dry eye syndrome.

Scleral Lenses Increase Hydration

Because of the way that scleral lenses sit over, rather than on top of, the eyes, they don’t inhibit hydration of the eyes. In between the cornea and the scleral lens is a liquid reservoir that contains saline solution. This translates to near-constant hydration for the eyes, something that those with dry eye syndrome will benefit from.

Scleral Lenses Help Keep Cornea Safe From Damage

With dry eye syndrome, the eyes are under-hydrated, which can result in corneal damage from inflammation, friction or even abrasion. Scleral lenses act as a barrier between eyelids and the cornea, helping to keep the cornea free of irritation and damage.

Eye Irritation is Minimized With Scleral Lenses

Patients with dry eye syndrome often complain of irritation and discomfort. This is due to the eyes not being lubricated sufficiently. Regular contact lenses exacerbate this irritation and discomfort. But scleral lenses don’t come into contact with the cornea; the perimeter of the lens sits on the white part of the eye. Therefore, there is no direct contact with the cornea and eye irritation is minimized.

Scleral lenses are most often prescribed for those with corneal irregularities, damage or refractive errors. However, they are also ideal for many people who suffer from dry eye syndrome. Talk to your Wellington, FL eye doctor to find out if scleral lenses might be right for your needs.