Dry Eye Doesn’t Have to Be Suffered in Silence

The burning, itching and overall discomfort of dry eye is a common complaint that many people experience throughout life. Whether it’s a fleeting concern or a persistent one, there is help available. When the eye’s natural tears no longer serve to properly hydrate, solutions ranging from simple tear replacements to surgery to correct structural problems in the tear ducts may make a difference.

Recommended dry eye treatments will vary based on the suspected cause of the concern. Contact lens wearers, for example, may find vision care professionals recommending an entirely different treatment than a person whose tear ducts are faulty. Some of the more common treatments for dry eye include:

•    Artificial tears – These are specialized eye drops that are used to hydrate and lubricate the eyes. This option is often recommended to people who wear contact lenses and those who suffer from occasional dry eye prompted by such things as changes in the weather or computer-related strain on the eyes.

•    Omega-3 fatty acids – Consumption of foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids is considered highly good for the health. It may also serve to hold off dry eye symptoms by improving the function of the Meibomian glands that create the oily film responsible for hydrating the eyes.

•    Eye ointments – When artificial tears are not thick enough to provide comfort, an eye doctor may recommend the use of ointments. This prescription-grade option is not suitable for contact lens wearers, but it may help many others.

•    LiipFlow – This relatively new treatment is designed to unblock the Meibomian glands by combining heat with light massage. Many eye doctors now offer this treatment directly to their patients.

•    Surgery – When all other options fail, surgical procedures may be used to promote healthier flow of the eye’s natural tears.

When dry eye is a concern, it is best to seek advice from an eye doctor to get to the root cause. For many people simple solutions like artificial tears will provide relief. Others, however, may find more advanced procedures such as surgery and LipiFlow are required to alleviate the burning and itching they feel.

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