Have you ever felt like your eyes are burning or stinging? It’s not a pleasant feeling, and it can make it challenging to focus on anything else. Unfortunately, it’s a common issue faced by many people. But what exactly is causing this uncomfortable sensation? The culprit might be dry eye—a condition that happens when your eyes don’t have enough moisture. In this blog post, we’ll talk about the symptoms of dry eye, its causes, and how to find relief.
Symptoms of dry eye
One of the most common symptoms of dry eye is a burning sensation in the eyes, but it can also cause itching, stinging, redness, light sensitivity, blurry vision, and a feeling like there’s sand in your eye. Surprisingly, you may also experience watery eyes. It sounds counterintuitive, but it’s your eyes’ way of trying to compensate for the dryness.
Causes of dry eye
Dry eye can happen for different reasons. For example, environmental factors like dry air, wind, heating, or air conditioning can cause dry eye. Some medical conditions like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes, as well as certain medications, can also increase your risk. Additionally, our tear production slows as we get older, leading to dry eye. Women also have a higher risk of developing dry eye due to hormonal changes that occur throughout their lives. Wearing contact lenses for too long or not cleaning them properly can also result in dryness and irritation.
Treatment for dry eye
If you have dry eye, don’t worry! There are plenty of treatment options available to help you feel better. One of the most common ways to find relief is to use artificial tears or eye drops. These can help lubricate your eyes and make them feel more comfortable. You can get these over the counter, or your eye doctor can prescribe medicated eye drops for severe cases of dry eye.
Additionally, making some lifestyle changes can help relieve your symptoms. You could try avoiding windy or dry places, using a humidifier, or remembering to blink regularly. There are also other ways to treat dry eye, depending on how severe your condition is. These can include things like punctual plugs, warm compresses, and prescription medications that help increase tear production or reduce inflammation. Our dry eye specialist in Spokane Valley, Washington will work with you to figure out the best treatment for you based on your symptoms and medical history.
Don’t let dry eye take control of your life. If you have burning, red, or itchy eyes, it’s time to schedule an appointment with an eye doctor. Our eye doctor in Spokane Valley specializes in diagnosing and treating dry eye. We offer many safe and effective treatment solutions to help you find relief and improve your overall eye health. Book an appointment with us today and start feeling better in no time!