DRY EYES: TYPES, SYMPTOMS, CAUSES, AND TREATMENT

Our eyes play an important role in our daily life. We need good eyesight in most of our activities, so experts recommend regular eye check-up to ensure a healthy vision. Due to most people’s busy schedules, however, it is easy to overlook issues concerning the eyes.

Dry eye is a common eye problem today. This occurs when our eyes fail to produce tears properly, resulting in an unhealthy surface. Here is everything you need to know about this condition:

Types of Dry Eye

• Aqueous tear-deficient – The lacriminal glands are responsible for producing the watery component of tears. When they fail at their task, your eyes will not maintain a healthy surface.

• Evaporative – This is caused by inflammation of the meibomian glands located in the eyelids. These are responsible for the lipid or oily part of tears that slows down the evaporation of tears.

Symptoms

Dry eyes create different symptoms for each individual. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, make sure to visit your optometrist in Gurnee, IL as soon as possible:

• Redness and pain of the eye

• Heavy eyelids

• Uncomfortable contact lenses

• Burning or stinging of the eye

• Inability to cry even when emotionally stressed

• Fatigue

• Periods of excessive tears after a dry eye episode

• Moments of blurred vision

• Decreased comfort in reading, staying in front of a computer, and any activity that requires long visual attention

Causes

Dry eyes can be temporary or chronic depending on the cause. There are many factors to consider, including you and your family’s medical history. Here are most common causes and risk factors of dry eyes:

• Common medications, such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, nasal decongestants, and birth control pills

• Allergies associated with dry eyes

• Homeopathic remedies

• Long-term contact lens wear

• Keratitis, a condition in which the eyes fail to completely close during sleep

• Immune system illnesses, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjögren’s syndrome

• Long hours of staring at computer or TV monitors

• Undergoing LASIK surgery, in which the dryness can last up to six months

• Women taking hormone replacement therapy

• Skin disease around the eye area

If you are unsure of what is causing your dry eyes, check with our eye doctor in Gurnee, IL. At Advanced Eyecare Consultants, we have professionals you can trust.

Treatment

After a careful evaluation of your eyes, your eye doctor in Vernon Hills, IL, may use different approaches to medicate the symptoms. Treatment can vary from taking prescriptions drugs to stopping the activities that cause the dryness.

Consult our professionals at Advanced Eyecare Consultants if you are experiencing dry eye. Call us at (847) 278-9180 for our office in Libertyville, or (847) 278-9211 for Lake Zurich.