What could be more irritating than dry, itchy, burning eyes? If that’s what you’re experiencing, it could be due to dry eye syndrome. Dry eye is a common eye problem encountered by millions of people annually. It occurs when your eyes stop producing quality tears to keep them lubricated and moist. The result is red, dry, itchy eyes that can cause blurred vision. At East Memphis Optometry in Memphis, Dr. Wallace can help resolve problems with dry eye and restore clarity to your sight.
Symptoms of Dry Eye
People with dry eye often experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Dry, itchy eyes
- Eye redness and inflammation
- A stinging or burning sensation in your eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurred vision
- Teary eyes
Dry eye symptoms can be mild or severe. Severe symptoms can disrupt your life by complicating even the simplest of tasks. If your symptoms are interrupting your daily life, contact our eye doctor for help with dry eye relief.
Dry Eye Causes
Tears play an important role in your eye health. They keep your eyes lubricated and moist and protect them from infections and disease. Tears wash away dust, dirt, and debris from your eyes to keep your eye’s surface smooth and clear. Quality tears are made of water mixed with mucous and oil. When this mixture becomes unbalanced or your eye glands don’t produce enough tears to keep your eyes moist, it can lead to dry eye.
Numerous factors can affect tear production and result in dry eye, starting with age. As tear production tends to diminish as you grow older, the chances of dry eye increase. Other factors include:
- Hormonal changes in a woman’s body
- Certain autoimmune diseases and certain types of medications
- Overexposure to wind, smoke, air pollution, and other exterior environmental conditions
- Computer overuse as you blink less when you’re on the computer and blinking helps produce tears.
- Poor diet, specifically a lack of vitamin A and omega 3 fatty acids
- Extensive contact lens use and eye surgery
Dry Eye Treatment
There is no cure for dry eye but there are treatments that can help manage your symptoms to reduce pain and discomfort. For minor problems with dry eye, artificial tears can help supplement tear production. For severe cases, we may recommend prescription eye drops to stimulate tear production and reduce inflammation. Tear duct plugs can help keep tears from draining out of your eyes so they retain more moisture. You can also try warm compresses, dry eye ointments, and eyelid massage to help relieve your dry eye symptoms.
Contact Our Eye Doctor in Memphis, TN
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Wallace for dry eye treatment, contact East Memphis Optometry in Memphis, TN. Call our team today at (901) 683-4529 or reach us through our website by using our online contact form.
