It’s easy to mistake certain manifestations of dry eyes syndrome for your usual eye fatigue symptoms. However, it’s better to determine whether your eye condition requires more than just over-the-counter medication to cure. Today’s post from your eye care services provider, Origins Eye Clinic, talks about how to check whether you’re suffering from dry eyes syndrome.
What Causes Dry Eyes?
Dry eyes pertain to the insufficient or inadequate production of tears. The disorder affects your tear ducts and their ability to produce tears. Simply put, it’s a condition where your eyes either produce low-quality tears or they don’t produce enough. Tears lubricate your eyes, allowing your eyelids to glide smoothly over the surface of your cornea. They also flush out potential irritants and bacteria from your eyes.
Knowing the Symptoms
According to the American Optometric Association, more than 16 million Americans suffer from dry eyes while an estimated 6 million people remain undiagnosed. The primary symptoms reported by both diagnosed and undiagnosed patients include a scratchy sensation, mucus buildup in and around the eyes, light sensitivity, eye redness, foreign body sensation, excessive watering and blurred vision.
While tearing up excessively may seem strange considering the condition primarily involves dryness, it’s the body’s natural response to the inadequate tear production. A visit to a medical eye clinic such as Origins Eye Clinic may offer relief from the symptoms of dry eyes syndrome. You can also choose from a variety of treatment methods.
Dry Eyes Treatment
Relief from dry eyes come in various forms and methods. There are certain behavioral modifications you can observe, such as taking short breaks from tasks that require intense visual concentration, avoiding smoke and staying away from environments with arid weather. You may also use lubricating eye drops as prescribed by your eye doctor. Punctal plugs are also an option to help keep the tears on the surface of your eyes longer.
If you’re experiencing any persistent eye issues, it’s best to schedule an eye exam with your eye doctor from your vision care optometry center. Origins Eye Clinic offers a wide array of products and eye care services that cater to your needs. You may contact us at (612) 869-1333. We work with patients in Bloomington, MN.