For Dry Eyes

Causes, Symptoms and Treatment For Dry Eyes

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What is Dry Eye Disease?

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Dry eye disease is a very uncomfortable condition that plagues many people. If you are diagnosed with dry eye disease, you may be able to find relief with the assistance of your eye doctor. What is dry eye disease? This condition appears when a tear deficiency exists. The eye does not produce enough tears to stay moisturized and well lubricated.  Tear evaporation can also cause dry eye disease. Overall, the disease appears when there are not enough tears present to keep eyes at healthy moisture levels.

Symptoms of Dry Eye Disease

Dry eye disease brings with it many uncomfortable symptoms. The most obvious is an irritating, dry feeling. Eyes will also become itchy or endure a burning sensation. These problems are often made worse as the patient begins rubbing eyes to stop the itch.  Some patients describe the feeling as similar to the sensation felt when debris is stuck in the eye.

Vision may be affected by dry eye disease as well. Patients may experience blurred vision as well as light sensitivity that can make it difficult to get through a typical day. In severe cases, blurring could become a dangerous hazard, especially for individuals that rely heavily on their ability to see (such as those who operate heavy equipment). Severe dry eye disease may also cause a discharge to appear.

Dry Eye Disease Treatment

Patients searching for an effective dry eye disease treatment can try a few different things. The first step is to determine what is causing the problem, or making it worse.  Environmental factors, such as smoke or excessively dry air can make the problem worse (or even be the cause).  These can usually be changed simply be altering habits or the environment around you. Some people purchase special sunglasses that can help protect eyes from debris and wind to lower the severity of dry eye disease while outdoors.

Eye drops can also help reduce symptoms. Over the counter eye drops are generally inexpensive, but are only recommended for occasional use. They can lubricate the eye and add “artificial tears” to supplement insufficient tear production. If you feel eye drops are needed more often or for long term use, then consult your eye doctor to find out if there is a better solution. Prescription medication could be the solution to help you safely stop the symptoms of dry eye disease.

What are the Best Contact Lenses for Dry Eyes?

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Although some brands are more popular than others, the best contact lenses for dry eyes are out there. In most cases, it is a matter of personal opinion. Some patients have specific symptoms and problems and develop a preference to a certain brand. In other cases, the patient has only tried one or two brands and decided on their favorite without really trying any other dry eye contacts. If you want to know which are truly the best contact lenses for dry eyes then you must decide which are the most comfortable for your particular situation. The following provides information on some of the most popular contact lenses to get you started in your search for the best contact lenses for dry eyes.

Acuvue Oasys

Acuvue is a brand name often associated with contacts. Their Oasys product has become a fast favorite among those looking for the best contact lenses for dry eyes.  These are disposable contacts that must be changed out weekly. Wearers must follow standard care procedures, such as keeping lenses clean and only wearing for recommended number of hours. Oasys contacts are designed to diminish the dry, burning feeling that often accompanies dry eye, even in less than desirable environmental conditions.

Focus AirOptix Night and Day Aqua Contact Lenses

Focus AirOptix lenses are safe for use up to one month. These come with a tint feature that makes it a little easier for the patient to put contacts. This feature makes Focus AirOptix ideal for individuals that have a hard time getting used to putting in and taking out their contacts. Focus AirOptix Night and Day Aqua are considered the best contact lenses for dry eyes because they can be worn at night. The lenses employ an advanced moisture system to help alleviate and prevent dry eyes.

ProClear Compatibles

ProClear Compatibles are often labeled as the best contact lenses for dry eyes because they allow the eye to breathe rather than dry out. These soft contacts are not recommended for night time wear, but they can have a positive impact on dry eye syndrome. ProClear Compatibles also have the benefit of being the only contact lens that has been given permission by the FDA to state that they can “provide improved comfort” for those with dry eye problems.

Eye Drops for Dry Eyes: Know Your Options for Maximum Relief

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Many people believe that eye drops for dry eyes are all the same. There are many different brands that work, however some patients have a specific type the prefer. Some work equally well, so choosing the best brand can be difficult. There are actually more powerful eye drops for dry eyes that can actually help correct the problem rather than just alleviate the symptoms.

Non-Prescription Eye Drops for Dry Eyes

Non-prescription eye drops for dry eyes are abundant in any pharmacy or grocery store.  Simply visit the health and beauty departments and look for eye-related products, such as contact solution and cases. This is usually where the eye drops can be found. Over the counter eye drops are great for mild cases of dry eyes.  They can be purchased for a few dollars, depending on the size of the bottle.

Some patients prefer to keep a smaller bottle with them. Some of the more popular brands include Visine, Systane, Refresh Optive, and Rohto V. There are many more brands, which can make it difficult to select a specific type.  After evaluating features and price, it can also help to ask friends and family for a recommendation. Multiple eye drop brands will be capable of providing relief, but some may work better than others.

Prescription Eye Drops for Dry Eyes

Severe cases of dry eye may require a prescription. Your eye doctor can advise you on whether or not a prescription medication is necessary to help find relief. Many people are reluctant to buy prescription eye drops for dry eyes because they tend to be more expensive than over the counter brands. The problem is that over the counter eye drops are not designed for long term use and should be viewed as a temporary fix or a solution for the occasional dry eye. Patients with chronic dry eyes should avoid using over the counter medication for long periods.

Restasis eye drops for dry eyes are one popular choice that is often prescribed for patients that have diminished tear production. These eye drops actually encourage tear production, which improves the longer the patient uses Restasis. Patients should always speak to their doctor about possible side effects and keep in touch with follow up visits to monitor long term use. When you talk to your doctor and follow his or her recommendations, you can get relief from severe cases with eye drops for dry eyes.

How to Identify Dry Eyes Symptoms

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Are you experiencing dry eyes symptoms? Many people do on a regular basis.  While this common eye problem is generally easy to identify, many people do not realize they have it. What may seem like a minor issue can actually be a long term annoyance you do not have to suffer through. In order to find an effective treatment, you must first determine whether or not you are experiencing dry eyes symptoms.

How Do Your Eyes Feel?

The most notable dry eyes symptoms involve the way eyes feel. This is a big part of what makes this common condition so annoying. Patients suffering from dry eyes will notice their eyes feel irritated. This generally appears as a burning or stinging sensation, accompanied by a general feeling of dryness. The eyes may also feel very itchy, which can lead to constant rubbing. The rubbing can actually make the problem worse and redden eyes. Not to mention the more serious problems that can occur should the rubbing lead to an accidental scratch or eye poke. Many people describe dry eye symptoms as feeling as though something were stuck in their eyes.

Can You See Very Well?

Dry eyes symptoms can also impair vision as well. You won’t completely lose your ability to see, but it will be affected. Many patients find that dry eyes make their vision blurry, which is also made worse by frequent rubbing. The problem may also cause light sensitivity, which can make it very uncomfortable to go outside in bright sunlight. This can become a hazard should the patient get behind the wheel or find themselves in any other situation that requires alertness and the ability to see uninhibited.

Are You Experiencing a Strange Eye Discharge?

Although it may not be as common as the first two dry eyes symptoms, some patients experience an unpleasant discharge from the eyes. It is important to note that if you notice a discharge, the problem could be more severe than a simple case of dry eyes. It is highly recommended that you seek advice from a medical professional when unexplained eye discharge is present. This could indicate an infection or other condition that is also causing the dry eyes symptoms to appear.  Chronic and severe cases should also be evaluated by your eye doctor. You may find that a prescription is necessary to relieve dry eyes and begin seeing and feeling better.