Is Excess Screen Time Actually Causing My Dry Eyes?

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If you suffer from dry eyes, your optometrist in Coldwater, MS may have already told you that excess screen time can make this condition worse. The reason why may surprise you. Did you know that people tend to blink a lot less when they’re looking at screens versus when they’re gazing at other things, such as scenes of nature or even pieces of paper? Scientists don’t yet understand why this is true, but since blinking lubricates the eyes each time your eyelids close down over your eyes, it’s easy to realize that a lack of blinking isn’t good for dry eyes. But is it possible that the connection is even worse between dry eyes and screens? Could excess screen time actually be the cause of your dry eyes to begin with?

Recognizing the Symptoms

Common symptoms of screen-induced dry eye include redness, itching, a sensation of burning, blurred vision or feeling like someone just kicked up sand and it went straight into your eyes. If left unmanaged, these symptoms can worsen, potentially leading to inflammation or long-term irritation.

Reducing the Impact of Screen Time

You don’t have to be a math genius to overcome the hurdle of this condition. To prevent or alleviate dry eyes, try adopting the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This practice encourages blinking and gives your eyes a break from focusing on the screen. Ensuring your workspace is well-lit and adjusting screen brightness can also help. Consider using artificial tears or a humidifier to maintain moisture in the environment.

Getting Help For Dry Eyes

If you have dry eyes, steer clear of over-the-counter eye drops. These drops may cause the opposite to happen in people who truly have dry eye syndrome in Coldwater, MS. Instead, book an appointment with your optometrist at Coldwater Vision Center for a proper diagnosis and treatment. We can recommend specialized treatments, such as prescription eye drops or other therapies tailored to your needs.

While screen time is a modern necessity, its impact on your eyes shouldn’t be ignored. It could actually be the underlying reason why you have dry eyes to begin with, which is nothing to trivialize. But, by adopting healthy habits and seeking professional care when needed, you can protect your eyes and stay comfortable, even in our digital world.

What Is Dry Eye: Common Symptoms & Treatment Options

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Are you experiencing an eye condition? If so, it may be dry eye; one of the most common eye conditions today. While this disease may cause a few minor symptoms, they can be severe for some people. Luckily, there are a number of treatments that help patients find relief. It’s important to work with a trusted provider to find the best options that work for you!

Here at Coldwater Vision Center, we take pride in our incredible eye care services. Whether you need a new eye exam, contact lenses, or dry eye treatment in Coldwater, MS, we’ve got you covered. Call us today to make an appointment!

Dry Eye: Brief Overview

Dry eye is a common condition involving your eye’s tear film. This film consists of three layers that protect the surface of your eyes. Dry eye disease is characterized by a problem with this film. You may experience symptoms like itching, burning, watering, and blurry vision.

Symptoms of Dry Eye

While some people have minor symptoms, others experience everyday discomfort that significantly impacts their lives. One example is feeling like something is stuck in your eye, which can be quite annoying.

Other common symptoms of dry eye include:

  • Light sensitivity
  • Stinging or burning sensation
  • Blurry vision
  • Watery eyes
  • Tears running down your face
  • Mucus coming out of your eye

While it may sound strange to have watery eyes with a dry eye condition, it’s caused by insufficient oil on the outer layer of your tear film. This occurs when your meibomian glands aren’t working effectively. As a result, the watery layer of your tear film evaporates too fast, which causes your lacrimal glands to make more watery tears to try and compensate.

Dry Eye: Treatment Options

If dry eye causes problematic symptoms, try a few at-home remedies, such as avoiding certain triggers and using a humidifier in your bedroom. Another option involves taking special eye drops like artificial tears, which can help lubricate your eyes and temporarily reduce symptoms. Thermal pulsation therapy and intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy are a few in-office treatments that may be able to help.

If you’re tired of suffering from dry eye, give Coldwater Vision Center a call today. We can diagnose the problem and find the right treatment plan for you. We have the leading eye doctor inColdwater, MS! Call us today.

Can Dry Eye Hurt Your Long-Term Vision?

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Dry eyes are experienced by nearly everyone at some point in their lives, even if it’s just staring at a computer screen for too long. When it’s such a common condition, it can be easy to dismiss its long-term effects. However, for those who experience it as a chronic or severe problem, it’s not as simple as blinking a few extra times or picking up a bottle of drops at the store. We’ll look at when the circumstances are so severe that they can result in far-reaching consequences.

The General Rule About Dry Eyes

In general, dry eyes are not considered a serious problem. If your tear production decreases, this might be due to anything from age to certain medications to a blocked meibomian gland. Products like artificial tears can help provide temporary relief until the body can course-correct on its own. An eye doctor in Coldwater, MS might start to become concerned if your dry eyes are either connected to a more serious disease or if the lack of tears is starting to result in either infections or damage to the surface of the eyes.

Long-Term Vision Loss

Dry eyes in Coldwater, MS cause a lack of moisture in the eye. When tears are the key to protecting your eyes from scratches, infections, and corneal ulcers, the absence of them can lead to disease and even vision loss. Protecting your eyes starts with seeing an optometrist who can identify the root cause of the problem, so they can implement a solution that you’re both comfortable with. Whether your dry eyes stem from rheumatoid arthritis or an allergy, it’s worth stepping up to take care of the problem sooner rather than later.

Optometrists in Coldwater

If you’re looking for an optometrist who can help you treat dry eyes, Coldwater Vision Center is here to help. Our staff has seen how this condition can affect our patient’s lives, but more than that, we’ve seen how cases can progress over time. If you’re concerned about dry eyes when your contacts are in, while you’re watching TV, or while you’re at work, it may be worth finding a solution for it rather than living with it until it becomes a bigger problem.