Are your eyes constantly dry and itchy? Do you find yourself constantly rubbing your eyes or having trouble wearing contact lenses? Itchy eyes can be incredibly uncomfortable and affect your quality of life. If you’re experiencing itchy eyes, it could be a sign that you have dry eye. Dry eye is a growing problem for many people, causing extreme discomfort and vision problems in severe cases.
In this blog, we’ll discuss what dry eye is, its symptoms, common causes, and how you can find relief.
Understanding dry eye
Dry eye, also known as dry eye syndrome or dry eye disease, happens when your eyes don’t make enough tears or produce tears of poor quality. In addition to itchy eyes, other symptoms of dry eye include redness, burning, light sensitivity, blurry vision, and trouble wearing contact lenses. If left untreated, dry eye can cause permanent damage to the surface of your eye, leading to vision loss.
Causes of dry eye
A variety of factors can lead to dry eye. These include age, certain medications, health conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes, and environmental factors like air conditioning or too much screen time. Hormonal changes during pregnancy and menopause or from using birth control can also raise your risk of this condition.
How to find relief from dry eye
Luckily, there are many ways to find relief from dry eye symptoms. Over-the-counter eye drops as well as warm compresses can help soothe dryness and itchiness. Lifestyle changes such as taking frequent breaks from screens, drinking plenty of water, and using a humidifier at home or work can also help with dry eye symptoms.
For more severe cases of dry eye, it’s important to schedule an eye exam with an eye doctor who specializes in dry eye treatment. They can run tests to figure out what’s causing it and recommend personalized treatments. These may include prescription eye drops, tear duct plugs, or light therapy to improve tear production and help the glands in your eyelids function better.
While itchy eyes can have many causes, dry eye syndrome is one of the most common culprits. Understanding the symptoms and causes behind dry eye is key to finding proper relief and improving your overall eye health. At Vision Center, LTD in Shelton, CT and Waterbury Eye Associates in Waterbury, CT, our eye doctors are experts in dry eye care. We’ll work with you to create a personalized treatment plan to help you keep your eyes healthy and relieve dry eye symptoms. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
