Book Now Call Now HOME ABOUT EYE CARE EYE WEAR SPECIAL OFFERS BLOG CONTACT US What You Need to Know About Dry Eye If you have never suffered from dry eye, you might not appreciate how important your tears are to your eye health. Without enough moisture, your eyes can become dry, itchy, red and uncomfortable. Dry eye occurs when you do not make enough tears or the tears you produce are not high quality. The Importance of… by Dr. Durante September 8, 2021 If you have never suffered from dry eye, you might not appreciate how important your tears are to your eye health. Without enough moisture, your eyes can become dry, itchy, red and uncomfortable. Dry eye occurs when you do not make enough tears or the tears you produce are not high quality. The Importance of Tears Although you might not realize it, your eyes constantly produce tears. Tears are needed to keep the front of your eyes moist and comfortable. They help remove tiny specks of debris or dust from the eyes. When something falls into your eye, tear production increases, in an attempt to wash away the foreign object. Symptoms of Dry Eye Dry eye symptoms include: A feeling that there is a foreign object in your eyes Gritty or sandy feeling in the eyes Burning and stinging Itching Eye fatigue Blurred vision Pain and redness Difficulty reading or working on a computer for long periods of time Stringy discharge Discomfort when wearing contact lenses Inability to cry Who Gets Dry Eye? Dry eye can occur at any age; although it is most common in people over the age of 65. Hormonal changes in women during pregnancy and menopause can increase the risk of dry eye, as can the use of hormonal birth control methods, such as birth control pills. No matter what your age, you may experience dry eye if you are exposed to wind, dry conditions or smoke, or have allergies. Some types of medications can affect tear production, including antidepressants, tranquilizers, hormone replacement medications, antihistamines, blood pressure medication and decongestants. If you have thyroid disease, diabetes, chronic conjunctivitis, lupus, Sjogren’s syndrome or rheumatoid arthritis, you may be more likely to develop the condition. Dry eye can also be a problem if you have worn contact lenses for many years or have had LASIK surgery to improve your vision. In some cases, LASIK can decrease tear production. Failure to blink regularly, which can occur when you stare at a computer monitor for a long time, can also trigger the problem. Treatment Options Optometrists can offer several strategies and treatment options that will help your eyes feel more comfortable, including: The use of artificial tears for added moisture Changing a medication if dry eye is a side effect Treating underlying diseases and conditions that cause dry eye Plugging the drainage holes in your eyes to prevent tears from draining too quickly Changing the type of contact lenses you wear Recommending that you use an air purifier to remove allergens from the air Prescribing cyclosporine, an anti-inflammatory medicine that increases tear production If you have a severe case of dry eye, your eye doctor may suggest punctal cautery, a minor surgical procedure that permanently plugs the drainage holes in your eyes. Keep your eyes healthy with regular eye examinations. Is it about time for your next exam? If so, call us today to set up an appointment! Related Eye Health Resources Blue Light Exposure: What Is It? September 8, 2021 What You Need to Know About Dry Eye September 8, 2021 What Is Astigmatism? September 8, 2021 Get Your Free Eye Exam Today Book Now Our practice is committed to providing every patient with eyeglasses, eyewear, eye exams, outstanding vision, and eye care, and our friendly staff will always greet you with a smile! Quick Links Home About Eye Care Eye Wear Special Offers Blog Jensen Beach Treasure Coast Square Mall 3468 NW Federal Hwy Jensen Beach, FL 34597 By main mall entrance by Ruby Tuesday Mon - Wed : 11:00 am - 7:00 pm Thu - Sat : 10:00 am - 7:00 pm Sun : 11:00 pm - 5:00 pm (772) 692-2020 Info@drdurante.com Port St. Lucie 954 S.W. Saint Lucie West Blvd. Port St. Lucie, FL 34986 Between IHOP & Pet Supermarket Mon - Fri : 9:00 am - 7:00 pm Sat : 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Sun : Closed (772) 302-2022 Info@drdurante.com Follow Us Site Map Terms & Condition Privacy Policy Cohen Fashion Optical: Dr. Durante © 2021 All Rights Reserved. Eye Doctor, Optometrist, Eye Care. Disclaimer : The patient and any other person responsible for payment has a right to refuse to pay, or be reimbursed for payment for any other service, examination, or treatment that is performed as a result of and within 72 hours of responding to the advertisement for the free, discounted fee, or reduced fee service, examination, or treatment.