Do you ever feel like there’s sand in your eyes, but there’s nothing there? If you answered yes, you may have dry eye syndrome. Dry eye syndrome happens when your eyes can’t produce enough tears or produce poor-quality tears, causing irritation, redness, and a gritty feeling. While it may not sound serious, it can cause long-term eye damage if left untreated. In this blog, we’ll talk about this condition and share tips for finding relief.
Common causes of dry eye syndrome
Dry eye syndrome can happen for a variety of reasons, such as aging, autoimmune diseases, hormonal changes, environmental factors, and certain medications. Staring at a computer or phone screen for long periods can also dry out your eyes and cause a gritty feeling in your eyes. Too much screen time can strain your eyes and lead to a condition called computer vision syndrome, resulting in symptoms like headaches, neck and shoulder pain, blurry vision, and, of course, dry eyes.
Symptoms of dry eye syndrome
Along with gritty eyes, dry eye syndrome can cause a range of other symptoms, including:
- Redness
- Sensitivity to light
- Eye fatigue
- Itchiness
- Watery eyes
- Blurred vision
- A burning or stinging sensation
- Difficulty wearing contact lenses
Treatment for dry eye syndrome
Treatment for dry eye will depend on what’s causing it and how severe your symptoms are. For milder cases, using warm compresses or over-the-counter eye drops may be enough to get relief. But if your dry eye is serious, our eye doctor can recommend more advanced treatments like LipiFlow. LipiFlow uses thermal pulsation to clear blocked meibomian glands, which produce oils that keep your eyes lubricated. This treatment can significantly reduce dry eye symptoms in just a few weeks.
Another option is TempSure Envi treatment, which uses radiofrequency to gently heat your skin, improving tear production while also tightening skin and reducing wrinkles. This treatment can improve the appearance of your eyes and make them feel more comfortable.
Lifestyle changes
Along with treating dry eye syndrome, certain lifestyle changes can help you prevent or manage your symptoms. Taking breaks from screen time, staying hydrated, avoiding smoking, using a humidifier at home and work, and eating a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids can all help.
If you’re experiencing gritty eyes or other dry eye symptoms, don’t ignore them. Dry eye can worsen over time and potentially harm your eyesight in the long run.
At Ensight Eyecare in Andalusia, we offer a wide range of treatments for dry eye syndrome. We can figure out what’s causing your symptoms and recommend the best treatment for your needs. Contact us today to book an appointment and start seeing more clearly and comfortably!
