Dry eyes can be more than just an annoyance; they can impact your daily life, making tasks like reading, working on a computer, or even watching TV uncomfortable. At The Eye Center in Pembroke Pines, Florida, we understand how frustrating dry eyes can be and are here to help you understand the causes and find the right treatment. Let’s explore why your eyes might be feeling so dry and what you can do about it.
Common causes of dry eyes
Environmental factors
Living in sunny Florida has its perks, but it can also mean more exposure to dry air and wind, which can evaporate the moisture from your eyes. Spending a lot of time in air-conditioned or heated environments can also dry out your eyes.
Screen time
In today’s technology-driven world, many of us spend hours staring at screens every day, whether we’re scrolling through social media or working on computers. When we focus on our devices, we tend to blink less frequently, which can lead to dry eyes. Blinking helps spread tears evenly across your eyes, keeping them moist and comfortable.
Hormonal changes
Women have a higher risk of developing dry eye than men due to hormonal changes that occur throughout their lives. For example, hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy or menopause can lead to dry eye symptoms.
Aging
As we age, our bodies produce fewer tears. This natural decline in tear production can lead to dry eyes, especially in people over the age of 50.
Medications
Certain medications, including antihistamines, decongestants, blood pressure medications, and antidepressants, can reduce tear production, leading to dry eyes.
Medical conditions
Conditions like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and thyroid disorders can contribute to dry eyes. Additionally, problems with your eyelids, such as inflammation or poor eyelid closure, can also cause dry eyes.
Contact lens wear
Wearing contact lenses for extended periods can disrupt the natural tear film on your eyes, leading to dryness and discomfort.
Find relief from dry eyes
The good news is that there are many ways to manage and relieve dry eyes. Here are some tips and treatments that can help:
- Artificial tears: Over-the-counter eye drops, also known as artificial tears, can provide quick relief by lubricating your eyes and helping to keep moisture on the surface of your eyes. You can use them as needed throughout the day.
- Take breaks from screens: When using digital devices, follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away. This can help reduce eye strain and encourage blinking.
- Staying hydrated: Drinking plenty of water throughout the day can help maintain your body’s moisture levels, including your eyes.
- Use a humidifier: Using a humidifier can add moisture to the air in your home or office, which can keep your eyes from drying out.
- Prescription treatments: For more severe cases of dry eyes, your eye doctor may prescribe medications or recommend procedures like punctal plugs, which slow or block the drainage of tears from your eyes.
When to see a professional
If you’ve tried home remedies and still struggle with dry eyes, it might be time to visit our dry eye specialists in Pembroke Pines, Florida. Our experienced team can provide a thorough exam to determine the underlying cause of your dry eyes and recommend the most effective treatment options tailored to your needs.
We offer OptiLight IPL (intense pulsed light) therapy, which is a revolutionary treatment for dry eye. It is a non-invasive treatment that uses gentle pulses of light to target the root cause of dry eyes. The light energy from the IPL device penetrates deep into the skin around your eyes and stimulates the production of natural tears. This helps hydrate your eyes and reduce inflammation, leading to improved comfort and vision. The treatment is quick, painless, and requires no downtime.
If you’re ready to say goodbye to dry eyes once and for all, we are here to help! Schedule an appointment with us today, and let’s work together to help you see clearly and comfortably again.
