Dry eyes are more than just an occasional annoyance—they can significantly impact your comfort and quality of life. At Omaha Primary EyeCare in Elkhorn, NE, we’re committed to helping you understand what’s causing your dry eyes and offering solutions that provide lasting relief. Let’s take a look at some common causes of dry eyes and the symptoms you should watch out for.
What causes dry eyes?
Dry eyes happen when your eyes don’t produce enough tears, or your tears aren’t able to keep your eyes properly lubricated. A variety of factors can contribute to this condition, including:
- Hormonal changes: Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy or menopause or from taking birth control can affect your tear production, leading to dryness.
- Aging: As we age, our bodies—including our eyes—produce fewer natural oils, which can reduce the quality and quantity of our tears.
- Environmental factors: Windy, dry, or dusty environments, along with extended exposure to screens, can exacerbate dry eye symptoms.
- Contact lenses: Wearing contacts for extended periods or the wrong contacts for your eyes can cause or worsen dry eyes.
- Medications: Certain medications, such as antihistamines, antidepressants, and blood pressure drugs, can reduce tear production.
- Health conditions: Autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren’s syndrome can lead to chronic dry eyes.
What are the symptoms of dry eyes?
If you have dry eyes, you might notice:
- A gritty or sandy feeling: It can feel like something is in your eye, even when there’s nothing there.
- Redness: Your eyes may look red or irritated, especially after reading, watching TV, or spending time outside in dry weather.
- A burning or stinging sensation: This can happen after a long day of screen time or in harsh environmental conditions.
- Blurred vision: Dry eyes can cause your vision to blur temporarily, especially if the problem is left untreated.
- Sensitivity to light: If your eyes are dry, you might find bright lights or glare to be especially harsh.
Treatment options at Omaha Primary EyeCare
At Omaha Primary EyeCare, we offer advanced dry eye treatment in Elkhorn to help manage your symptoms, including:
- OptiLight IPL therapy: This innovative treatment uses gentle pulses of light to reduce inflammation and improve the function of the meibomian glands, which produce the oils in your tears.
- LipiFlow®: LipiFlow® is a safe and effective treatment that clears blockages in the meibomian glands, helping your eyes produce healthy tears.
- BlephEx® treatment: BlephEx® targets the bacteria and debris on your eyelids that can contribute to inflammation and dry eye symptoms.
If dry eyes are making life uncomfortable, schedule an appointment with Omaha Primary EyeCare today to discuss which treatment option is right for you. We’re here to help you find relief and get back to feeling your best!
