Dry Eye Treatment: Relief for Burning, Itching, and Other Symptoms

Dry eyes affect millions of people in the U.S., causing significant discomfort that can interfere with daily activities as well as work and social events. In addition to the uncomfortable symptoms they cause, dry eyes can also increase your risks of developing infections or corneal damage. If you have symptoms of dry eyes, it’s very important to see your eye doctor to learn more about state-of-the-art dry eye treatment options as well as how to prevent dry eyes from occurring.

What is Dry Eye Syndrome?

Normally, your tears provide continual moisture to the surface of your eyes, washing away irritants and germs and keeping your cornea and the rest of your eye health. In people who have dry eyes, they may not produce enough tears or the tears they produce may not be adequate for lubricating the eye surface. Or the tear ducts may be partially or fully blocked, preventing the tear film from coating the eye properly.

Dry eyes can also develop as a result of lifestyle factors, like spending long hours staring at a computer screen or other close work without blinking, or being exposed to fumes, smoke or other airborne irritants. Some people develop dry eyes as a result of an underlying condition, including autoimmune disorders like Sjogren’s syndrome, or by taking some types of medications. Long-term contact lens wear can also cause or contribute to dry eye symptoms.

Symptoms of Dry Eye

Dry eyes cause symptoms like:

  • gritty or “sandy” sensations in the eyes
  • itching or burning sensations in the eyes
  • extreme sensitivity to light
  • excessive tearing
  • foreign body sensation (the feeling you have something sticking in your eye)
  • blurry vision
  • eye redness

Unless treated, dry eye symptoms tend to become worse over time, and eventually, they can cause the cornea to become irritated and scratched, increasing your risk for serious eye infections.

Dry Eye Treatment from Your Eye Doctor

In most cases, dry eyes can be treated with special eye drops to supplement your eye’s natural tear film, maintaining necessary lubrication so your eyes don’t become irritated. These drops are also referred to as “artificial tears,” and they can be very effective in relieving symptoms and in helping you maintain good eye health. In some cases, you may be prescribed special medications to help your eyes produce more tears. And if your tear ducts are plugged, we may recommend a simple procedure to unblock them so your tears can flow more freely. Making sure to take breaks from close-up work – essentially, improving how often you blink – can also help keep your eyes lubricated. At Prudhomme Vision, your eye doctor will provide you with a custom treatment plan based specifically on your needs for optimal results.

Prudhomme Vision: Top-Rated Optometrist in South Windsor, CT

Dry eyes can cause an array of uncomfortable symptoms, and without care, they can cause more serious problems in the future. As a leading optometrist in South Windsor, CT, we work closely with each patient to identify the cause of dry eye symptoms, providing individualized treatment solutions to relieve pain and other symptoms and to improve vision and overall eye health. To learn more about dry eye treatment and prevention, call Prudhomme Vision at (860) 644-3364 to schedule an office visit or use our online system to request an appointment today.