Short answer: Yes, if you have dry eye, you’re probably going to recognize (and feel?) some of the symptoms. Just don’t self-diagnose!
We’ve all done it. Googled our symptoms and made a self-diagnosis. Many a headache has been elevated to brain tumor-status and a head cold deemed the flu upon reading (and relating to) lists of symptoms online.
But the diagnosis of all medical conditions (big and small) is best left to the experts. Dry eye is no different. For many, dry eye is more of a nuisance than a serious medical concern. But there are some root causes of dry eye that can be more serious and a trained eye doctor will know exactly what to look for and exactly how to treat it.
It’s My Dry Eye and I’ll Cry if I Want to
Many of the symptoms of dry eye are also associated with allergies and other eye infections. For this reason, it is important to see a professional who can determine if what you’re suffering from is, in fact, chronic dry eye.
But here are a few dry eye symptoms you can be on the lookout for:
- Burning
- Blurred vision
- Discomfort with contact lenses
- Excessive dryness
- Fatigued eyes
- Grittiness
- Itching
- Light sensitivity
- Redness
- Excessive tearing (strange but true)
- Trouble with night driving
What Causes Dry Eye Anyway?
The basic definition of dry eye is when your eyes don’t produce the right quantity or quality of tears to be healthy or comfortable, especially in colder and drier conditions. Dry eye is a chronic condition affecting over 100 million people worldwide. Winter dry eye is common in Nevada as the region has the lowest humidity on record in the country. This contributes to what is known as evaporative dry eye affecting the Meibomian glands, the leading cause of dry eye.
Beyond climate, there may be another factor contributing to your dry eye symptoms. More people are plugged in than ever before. Experts agree that doing near work on computers and smartphones—such as emailing, texting, viewing, working or playing video games—can be blamed for much of the increase in dry eye symptoms. These types of activities interfere with the quality and quantity of blinks, which means not enough natural tears. The result? Dry, irritated eyes.
Ugh.
But just because dry eye is common doesn’t mean you have to just deal with it. At Center For Sight, a vision specialist will perform a series of thorough diagnostic tests to evaluate your unique ocular surface condition.
Not a Dry Eye in Sight!
At Center For Sight Las Vegas, there are a variety of choices for treating dry eye. Treatments range from eye drops to specially designed contacts lenses and more. The severity and root cause of your dry eye will determine which treatment is the best choice for you.
The physicians of Center For Sight often recommend LipiFlow for many patients dealing with dry eye. In addition, eye drops, prescriptions medications, blinking exercises, punctal plugs, eyelid scrubs, warm compresses and Omega-3 Oils are all recommended to treat dry eye depending upon the severity and root cause of the condition.
Schedule your dry eye consultation with one of the specialists at Center For Sight Las Vegas today.
