Dry Eye Doctors
in Greensboro
It can be frustrating to wear an amazing pair of eyeglasses or sunglasses, only to be bothered by itchy, dry, uncomfortable eyes. You may be experiencing dry eye syndrome, which is very common, but fortunately, very treatable as well.
At Oscar Oglethorpe, our dry eye doctors are highly experienced in managing dry eye and providing solutions to help patients feel their best so they can get the most out of one of our exceptional selection of frames.
What Is Dry Eye?
Dry eye disease is a disease that’s often just what it sounds like. Poor tear production in your eyes is at the root of the problem. Either not enough tears are being produced, or the ones that are produced are lower in quality and evaporate too quickly, causing insufficient lubrication on the surface of your eye.
What ultimately happens is that the lack of moisture causes the eyes to dry out and become red or itchy, even painful. Sometimes, your eyes recognize the shortage in high-quality tears and starts producing them even faster — eyes that are constantly watering can also be a symptom of the same condition.
What Causes Dry Eye?
Dry eye causes the same range of symptoms in everyone, but there are several possible underlying causes. The condition may be the side effect of infection or disease, a new medication, age, or the environment. Many people find that jobs that have them looking at computer screens for a long time on end make their eyes feel drier.
Dry eye can also be caused by gland dysfunction. Small glands around the tear ducts that produce oil get backed up and cause an imbalance in the oil levels in your tears.
What Are the Symptoms of Dry Eye?
It can be easy to recognize any number of dry eye symptoms, as most cause irritation and pain. You may experience redness, itchiness, grittiness, stinging, or burning. In what may feel unusual, your eyes may become excessively watery or filled with mucus. Any of these symptoms can also lead to eye fatigue and difficulty seeing clearly, even with glasses or contact lenses.
How Is Dry Eye Treated?
Because the causes vary so widely, each dry eye case is a little bit different. There are a number of different options to try depending on the type and severity. Because dry eye can be caused by a variety of different factors, it’s important to have an eye doctor who knows you well and can detect any changes in your lifestyle or eye health that may be causing symptoms of dry eye.
Here are some of the treatments your doctor may recommend:
Lifestyle Changes
Try to stay out of windy, smoky, hot, and dry environments as much as possible. Quit smoking and add leafy greens or foods rich in Omega-3s to your diet. If possible, reduce your screen time and give your eyes breaks.
Eye Drops & Artificial Tears
Your doctor may recommend eye drops or artificial tears to help better retain moisture in your eyes over time and provide the lubrication your eyes aren’t getting from your tears. Prescription eye drops are also available.
Vitamins & Supplements
Taking a daily Omega-3 vitamin that can help with rebuilding the film normally produced by the eye’s tear glands. Your doctor may recommend one specifically geared towards addressing dry eye.
In-Office Dry Eye Treatments
There are several non-invasive procedures to address dry eye that we can carry out in your appointment that provide a strong foundation for relief. Ask your eye doctor for more information.
Dry Eye Specialists in Greensboro, NC
If you’re experiencing the symptoms of dry eye disease, don’t wait. Contact Oscar Oglethorpe and get the dry eye treatment relief you need today.