If you suffer from constant dry eyes, many factors could cause or contribute to your condition. Medications, weather, eyelid issues, health conditions, and blue light are all potential dry eye culprits. Dry eyes may sound like a simple concern, but they can interfere with your day-to-day life and, if left untreated, lead to long-term problems.
Our patients often have many questions about dry eyes, from what causes it to options for dry eye treatment at our Corydon, Jeffersonville, and other offices. To help you better understand the condition, our team answers some of the most frequently asked questions about dry eyes.
What Causes Dry Eyes?
Dry eyes happen when you don’t make enough tears to keep your eyes wet or if tear production doesn’t work correctly. Dry eyes are a common problem in the US and can affect almost anyone. Some symptoms of dry eye include:
- Stinging
- Burning
- Watery eyes
- Redness
- Blurry vision
- Scratchiness
- Light sensitivity
Take our dry eye quiz to find out whether you might have dry eye disease. You can also learn more about dry eyes from the National Eye Institute.
How Can Your Eye Doctor Diagnose Dry Eye?
Your eye doctor may have you fill out a questionnaire called a SPEED test and examine your eyes to determine if you have dry eye. They will then develop a customized treatment plan based on your specific eye concerns.
What Is the Connection Between Blue Light and Dry Eyes?
Screens such as computers, iPads, and smartphones emit blue light, which may irritate or damage your eyes. Throughout the day, our eyes are exposed to a significant amount of blue light—from the computers at work and the constant use of digital devices at home.
While there is no evidence that blue light damages the eyes, issues like eye dryness are linked to blue light. If you suffer from chronic dry eye, it’s a good idea to start limiting your screen time to see if that makes a difference to your eyes. For more on blue light and its effect on your eyes, read our related blog post.
Does Dry Eye Always Require Treatment?
Although each person is different, dry eye is unlikely to resolve itself. If you are experiencing symptoms of dry eye and it’s an ongoing problem, you should seek the help of an eye doctor. Our team is always ready to provide customized treatment options for dry eyes so you can get relief.
What Are the Treatment Options for Dry Eyes?
Some treatment options available at our practice are LipiFlow®, oral supplements, artificial tears, and other medications. Your eye doctor will evaluate your eye surface with a special microscope or recommend additional testing before creating a custom treatment plan. You may be tempted to try over-the-counter eye drops; however, you may not be able to accurately assess the type of dry eye you have and treat it accordingly.
If you have dry eye, it’s important to be evaluated by an experienced eye doctor and receive the right treatment. Dry eye can be painful and irritating, impacting your quality of life.
Our team is here to help you improve your dry eye and get you back to your regular routine. If you want to seek treatment for dry eye, request a consultation or call us at (812) 284-0660 to schedule an appointment.
