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.