If you live in San Diego, CA, and need to have dry eye treatment, come see us at Vision Solutions. Visit us for eye care from Dr. Peters or Dr. Cauchi to help you manage your condition. We also serve La Mesa, CA, San Diego, and the surrounding area.
What Is Dry Eye?
Dry eye occurs when the body is either not producing enough tears or the tear production is poor quality. It is often related to inflammation in the body or eye ducts or glands that make your tears. Tears are made up of three layers, water, oil, and mucous. Many dry eye conditions occur when either the oil layer or the water/aqueous layer are not produced in enough quantity or quality. Many dry eye sufferers complain of burning, excessive watering, light sensitivity, foreign body feeling, eye redness, poor contact lens comfort, or blurry, transient vision. In extreme dry eye situations, damage can occur to the surface of your eye that may not be reversible.
Dry eye can occur in people with autoimmune diseases such as Lupus, Sjogren’s disease, and Rheumatoid arthritis. Women in post-menopausal years also report significant dry eyes.
Computer users and those people who spend significant time in air conditioning will also experience dry eye.
How Is It Treated?
Dry eye is treated in many ways. Lifestyle changes such as taking routine breaks from computer and tablet use are one of the first recommendations for treatment. The use of artificial tears 4-6 times per day helps to add to the overall tear quantity. Taking nutraceutical supplements such as Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids daily can assist with the ability to lower inflammation and generate more tear production. You may need to use daily hot eye compresses over the eyes in the morning and lid massage to help soften the oils that have become stagnant in the oil glands.
Another great option for extremely dry eyes is scleral contact lenses. These lenses bathe the eye surface in tears all day while wearing them during the day. Treatments exist that heat up the eyelids and soften the oil in the glands and allow the stagnant oil to be gently squeezed out of the glands.
Dry eyes have become more common in the digital age. Many different treatment approaches are available to you depending on your severity.
Get Dry Eye Treatment or Specialty Contacts for Dry Eyes, and an Eye Exam from an Optometrist at Vision Solutions Optometry
At Vision Solutions, we are ready to help the residents of San Diego, CA, and La Mesa, CA, with vision issues, including dry eye. Call us at (619) 461-4913 today to make an appointment for an eye exam.
