Causes and Treatments for Dry Eyes

Dry eyes can cause several frustrating symptoms that impact your day-to-day life if left untreated. Fortunately, your optometrist near you at Eyes Over Copley in Boston, MA, can help treat dry eyes and provide preventative care to protect your vision. We are here to tell you about the causes of dry eyes and what treatments are available for them.

Causes of Dry Eyes

The most frequent cause of dry eyes is a lack of lubrication in your eyes. Your eyes become dry and irritated due to the oily layer of tears evaporating too quickly or if your eyes cannot produce quality tears. You can also experience dry eyes due to underlying medical conditions like diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. Other causes of dry eyes include hormonal changes during pregnancy or menopause, computer vision syndrome, and eye allergies.

Remedies to Treat Dry Eyes at Home

You can often treat dry eyes at home with several remedies or lifestyle adjustments. Artificial tears can help lubricate your eyes to treat mild cases of dry eye or eye allergies. Regularly cleaning your eyelids can also help remove debris and unclog oil glands to improve eye lubrication. Lifestyle adjustments like using a humidifier, avoiding smoke and wind, or taking breaks from digital screens can ease symptoms and reduce your risk of developing dry eyes.

Advanced Treatment Options

You may require care from your eye doctor if artificial tears and lifestyle adjustments do not sufficiently treat dry eye symptoms. Your eye doctor can recommend medications to increase tear production and alleviate irritation. Special contact lenses can trap moisture in the eyes to keep them from drying. Light therapy and eyelid massages can treat meibomian gland problems that impact your tear production. Severe cases of dry eye may require punctal plugs or closing your tear ducts to prevent tears from draining too quickly.

Get Dry Eye Treatment From Your Optometrist Near You in Boston, MA, Today

Dry eyes can significantly impact your vision and disrupt your daily life if left untreated, so contact Eyes Over Copley in Boston, MA, to get the treatment necessary to see clearly and comfortably again. Call us and schedule an eye exam today at (617) 859-0630 to protect your eye and vision health.