Remedies for Dry Eyes
If you experience dry eyes, you are not alone. This is a common complication that affects millions of Americans at certain times of their lives. Although the complication is not often thought of as a severe complication, it puts you in great danger of severe vision and eye health complications.
Therefore, it would be good to seek help from medical experts such as Nicholas Rutkowski, O.D, a Frankfort general optometry specialist. Such providers can offer effective dry eye treatments to help you improve your vision and eye health and lead a quality life. The following are several ways your dry eyes can be managed.
1 Over-the-counter (OTC) Drugs
This is one of the popular ways to manage your dry eye. You can easily access OTC eye drops from the stores. You can get preservative-based eye drops that are more durable or non-preservative eye drops that come in several disposable vials, and you only use them once and then throw them away. The eye drops are also known as artificial tears, and they moisten your eyes like your natural tears. However, you will need to apply them severally for optimal results. This works best if you experience mild symptoms of dry eye.
 2 Prescription Medications
Once you seek medical assistance for your dry eye, your provider can prescribe medications to manage your condition. The medications can be given as eye drops or orally. Most of the medications help in minimizing the inflammation of your eyelids. Certain antibiotics can be prescribed to stimulate oil production on the glands around the eye, preventing your tears from evaporating too quickly.
3 Eye Inserts
These are small, clear tubes of medication that look like rice grains and are inserted into your eyes. These inserts can be an option if OTC medications fail to work. They are placed in the eye between the lower lid and the eyeball, where medicine is released throughout the day, keeping the eye moist.
4 Medical Procedures
If prescription medications and OTC fail to manage your complications, specific procedures can be employed. They include:
- Closure of tear ducts to ensure that your tears stay in the eye long after the ducts are partially or entirely plugged.
- Wearing special contacts such as scleral or bandage contact lenses to protect your eye’s surface and prevent moisture from evasion.
- Blocked oil glands clearing to ensure your eyes get enough oil.
5 Lifestyle Changes
Your lifestyle can produce a significant effect on your condition. It can be the cause of your eye dryness, and adjusting can help manage the condition. If you are doing a task for a long time, it will be good if you blink more often. It can also help to drink water throughout the day as it helps you stay hydrated. Sunglasses that have side shields can also help you prevent your tears from evaporating. Besides, you can use a cool-mist humidifier to add moisture to the air.
Smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke can have adverse effects on your eye health, including causing dry eyes. Therefore, it would be good to avoid it as much as possible.
If you are enduring dry eyes, it is fortunate that the condition can be managed. The choice of the treatment option you choose will depend on several factors, and an expert can help you make an informed decision. Therefore, schedule an appointment today at Nicholas Rutkowski, O.D, and get the help you need.
