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Take action to sooth dry eyes
 

 
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Do your eyes have a burning, scratching or stinging sensation? Do you have strained or tired eyes after reading, even for short periods of time? Do your contacts feel uncomfortable?

You may have a condition called dry eye. Having dry eyes for a while can lead to tiny abrasions on the surface of your eyes. Dry eyes are caused by a lack of tears. Tears are necessary for the normal lubrication of your eyes and to wash away particles and foreign bodies.

Common causes of dry eyes include:
  • Aging
  • Dry environment or workplace (wind, air conditioning)
  • Sun exposure
  • Smoking or secondhand smoke exposure
  • Cold or allergy medicines
  • An eye injury or other problem with your eyes or eyelids
  • Previous eye surgery

To help these symptoms, the following steps may help:
  • Try artificial tears, available as either drops or ointment. Ointments last longer, but are thicker and can cause blurry vision.
  • Don't smoke. Avoid secondhand smoke, direct wind and air conditioning.
  • Use a humidifier, especially in the winter.
  • Purposefully blink more often. Rest your eyes.

You should call your doctor if:
  • You have red or painful eyes.
  • You have flaking, discharge or a lesion on your eye or eyelid.
  • You have had trauma to your eye, or you have a bulging eye or a drooping eyelid.
  • You have joint pain, swelling or stiffness.
  • You also have a dry mouth.
  • Your dry eyes do not respond to self-care measures within a few days.

Your doctor will take a medical history and perform a physical examination, including a careful eye examination. Your doctor may perform tearing tests that can help diagnose dry eyes. Artificial tears may be prescribed.

Be proactive about your eye health. It could prevent more serious problems from occuring.

Published: May 27, 2008
Source: National Eye Institute
Writer: Elizabeth Todd Bartholomew, MA, APR


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