Can Dry Eye Hurt Your Long-Term Vision?

/0 Comments/in , /by

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.

3 Signs of Dry Eye and How you can Fix It

/0 Comments/in /by

Dry eye is a common condition that affects many people, especially those who spend a lot of time in front of computer screens, televisions, or other digital devices. If left untreated, this condition can cause discomfort, irritation, and even vision problems. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the signs of dry eye and why it’s essential to seek treatment from your local vision expert.

The knowledgeable team at Coldwater Vision Center of Coldwater, MS, is proud to serve the local community with premium vision care services, especially for those suffering from dry and red eyes.

What is Dry Eye?

A dry eye is a condition that occurs when there is a lack of moisture in the eyes. This can be due to various factors, including a lack of tear production, excessive tear evaporation, or a problem with the tear film. Dry eyes can cause multiple symptoms, including discomfort, irritation, and vision problems.

Signs of Dry Eye

Several signs can indicate you have dry eye, including the following list below. This list is not exhaustive, as there are multiple causes of dry eyes.

Watery Eyes

Contrary to its name, dry eyes can cause watery eyes. This is because the eye is trying to produce more tears to compensate for the lack of moisture. Eye drops can help alleviate discomfort, but it is best to identify the cause of this issue.

Stinging

Dry eyes can cause a stinging sensation in the eyes, making it challenging to keep them open for extended periods. Rubbing your eyes will only worsen as it wicks away the little moisture that is trying to lubricate your eyes.

Blurry Vision

Dry eyes can also cause blurry vision, making it difficult to read, drive, or perform other tasks that require clear vision. This is extremely dangerous, especially if you are operating heavy machinery.

Your Local Vision Expert

If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s essential to seek treatment from the quality experts at Coldwater Vision Center of Coldwater, MS . They can help diagnose the underlying cause of your dry eye and develop a personalized treatment plan to help manage your symptoms and improve your overall eye health. You can ensure you are receiving the proper care and guidance you deserve.

Symptoms of Dry Eye

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Dry eye is a syndrome that is estimated to affect over 4.88 million people in the U.S. More women than men have dry eye syndrome, which may be due to factors related to release of estrogen. It’s good to know that treatment for dry eye in Coldwater, MS is available. If you think you may have this condition, book an appointment for a professional diagnosis and treatment plan. In the meantime, here are the most common symptoms of dry eye to be aware of.

Chronically Red Eyes

The whites of the eyes can redden for a number of reasons, including eye strain. This often happens after long hours at a computer, either at work or at home while gaming. They can also get red due to injury or exposure to an irritant. But if you can’t attribute your red eyes to anything recent, and you seem to always have red eyes, it could be that you have dry eye syndrome.

Burning, Stinging Sensation********

Irritated eyes often feel like they are stinging or burning. With dry eye syndrome, the eyes are not getting enough fluid, which causes them to feel uncomfortable and results in a burning or stinging feeling. This is a common symptom that should be reported to your eye doctor in Coldwater, MS.

Sensitivity to Light

Do you find yourself squinting a lot, even when it’s not particularly bright outside, or when others don’t appear to be bothered by the light? If you have excess sensitivity to light, or if you have trouble driving gat night due to other vehicles’ headlights, you could have dry eye syndrome. Light sensitivity is a symptom of other eye conditions, also, so a professional diagnosis is imperative.

Swollen, Irritated Eyelids

If your eyelids are irritated and swollen on a regular basis, know that is another sign of possible dry eye syndrome. The swelling and irritation is caused when the eyelid drops down over the eyes to blink or sleep, and friction is present due to lack of moisture.

Never try to diagnose your dry eye syndrome at home. In particular, don’t start treating dry eyes with over-the-counter eye drops. At-home eye drops can hide or exacerbate a serious eye condition. Contact your eye doctor today for consultation about symptoms of dry eyes.

How Are Dry Eyes Treated?

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Itching, redness, burning, discomfort—dealing with dry eyes on a regular basis is no joke and can really hinder your plans. Dry eye treatment in Coldwater, MS is one of the most common reasons people seek out an eye doctor for anything outside of vision checkups. A lot of patients assume that dry eyes are easy to treat, but most eye doctors will take a multifaceted approach to help find relief.

Recommended Lifestyle Changes

Things present in your environment and even your daily habits can be a major underlying causation factor of dry eyes. Therefore, this is the first thing an eye doctor will ask you about when you come in for an appointment. You may be dealing with problems due to:

  • Facial cosmetics that you wear on a regular basis
  • Aerosol or fragrant products that you use in your home
  • Pets that you have in your home
  • Chemical irritants that you are exposed to at work
  • Spending a lot of time on a computer or phone

Sometimes, making slight changes in your environment or even the products that you use can drastically reduce the problems you are experiencing.

Medications

The eye doctor may prescribe medications that will help deter issues with dry eyes by combating some of the symptoms. For example, if tear production seems to be lacking, the doctor may prescribe lubricating eye drops. Or, if allergies seem to be causing the problem, the doctor may work with your general practitioner to make sure you are taking the proper allergy medications.

Devices and Other Procedures

In the most severe cases of dry eye, you may need more direct treatments and procedures to control the problem. For example, a procedure may be done to partially plug tear ducts, which will keep moisture from draining out of your eyes as it normally does, to keep the corneal lens lubricated longer. Special-made glasses may also be an option if the eyes need protection from the environment.

Need Dry Eye Treatment in Coldwater?

Dry eyes can bring about so many uncomfortable situations with your eyes. If you have problems with dry eyes but have never obtained a legitimate diagnosis, it may be time to see a Coldwater eye doctor for help. Reach out to us at Coldwater Vision Center to schedule an appointment.

Dealing with Seasonal Dry Eye Problems? A Diverse Issue with Many Causes

/0 Comments/in , /by

A number of everyday ailments can be seasonal problems, right down to ailments that affect your eye health. Dry eye problems are one of the most common visual health complaints, but a lot of people do not have problems with dry eyes through all seasons of the year. If you consistently deal with dry eyes during certain seasons, there can be a number of factors to blame.

Seasonal allergens may be to blame.

The world is filled with allergens, but different allergens can emerge during different seasons. For example, if you are particularly sensitive to pollen from flowers, late spring and early summer can mean you have more issues with dry eyes. Likewise, if you live in an area with a lot of smog, the contaminants in the air can be more prevalent during cooler temperatures when humidity is lower.

Dry eyes can be related to indoor environments.

Are you spending more time indoors due to changes in the weather? If so, it could be your indoor environment that is contributing to the problem. Indoor air quality can be poor due to pets, indoor pollutants, and even mold. For example, if you have a pet and start spending more time in the house, the pet dander may be causing problems with dry eyes.

Dry eyes can be relative to spending more time outdoors.

When winter transitions into spring, a lot of people make their way outdoors to enjoy the sunshine and warmer temperatures. If changing seasons take you outdoors, you could be experiencing things outside that are causing problems with dry eyes. For example, pollen can be particularly high in the spring, so the allergen could be contributing to a dry eye problem.

Talk to Your Coldwater Eye Doctor About Dry Eyes

Itching, watering, redness—dry eyes can be so uncomfortable to contend with, even when the problem comes and goes. Your Coldwater eye doctor may be able to help you manage the symptoms so you can get on with life. Reach out to us at the Coldwater Vision Center to schedule an appointment to discuss your problem with dry eyes.