Chronic dry eye is a very common ailment. People experience this issues during various times of year and for many different reasons. Treatments include over the counter treatments as well as prescription drugs and even surgeries to help ease the symptoms of chronic dry eyes. In order to determine treatment, it is essential to determine why you are experiencing this issue at all.
Chronic Dry Eyes and Allergies Go Together
Many times, your chronic dry eyes are directly related to your allergies. People experiencing seasonal allergies and other types of allergic reactions to their environment, both indoor and outdoor, such as dust, may find that allergy medications are not helping with the problem of dry eyes. As a matter of fact, the antihistamine used in allergy medications may add to the issue of dry eyes.
Seasonal allergies are directly related to the outside environment. If you are spending time outside, you are encountering pollen, leaves, and other allergens. If you are not washing your hands or body after a day out in the elements, you are at an increased risk of getting these allergens into your eyes. As a result, you will experience dry eyes. The good news is that eye drops will help wash your eyes and moisten them at the same time. Furthermore, taking a shower before bed will help keep allergens from entering your eye while you sleep.
If you are experiencing dry eyes due to issues like dust and even mold, you may find that a shower before bed and wearing a face mask during exposure to these issues will not only help your general allergy symptoms, but will help your eyes. The same concept will apply to this type of exposure to allergens as with the exposure experienced during seasonal allergy attacks.
Dry Eyes Resulting from Lack of Tears
Beyond allergens, there are several medical issues which may cause chronic dry eyes. These health issues may increase the inability for your body to make tears. Tears include several beneficial elements to help keep your eye moist. However, several diseases have been known to dry your eyes, as well as other areas of your body, such as your mouth. One such issue is menopause. Menopause is a complete shift in a woman’s hormonal system. As a result, the body experiences extreme, temporary changes. One such change can be directly related to your ability to make tears, leaving you with dry eyes. Another medical ailment may be rheumatoid arthritis, and even general aging.
No matter what is causing the dry eyes, artificial tears or eye drops may be useful in helping keep your tears flowing and your eyes moist. However, sometimes, that only helps temporarily and more help is required. There are several surgical procedures and prescription medications that may be able to help ease chronic dry eye. The best thing you can do is to speak to your eye doctor fist. Self-diagnosis of dry eye, accompanied with self-treating the ailment, may cause a larger issue. If you are experiencing chronic dry eye symptoms, contact the experts at Rittenhouse Eye Associates at (215) 525-6821. Rittenhouse offers a dry eye clinic which specializes in evaluating your eyes, diagnosing your issue and treating your dry eyes accordingly.
