Do you suffer from red eyes, light sensitivity, or blurry vision? Learn about some of the main causes of dry eyes and why it’s important to visit an eye doctor to treat this condition as soon as possible.
If you have recently been diagnosed with dry eye by your Calgary optometrist, you may be wondering what the condition is, and what is causes it. Dry eye is when your eyes don’t produce enough tears, or the right quality of tears, for healthy and comfortable vision.
You should visit your eye doctor immediately if you have one or the following symptoms of dry eye:
- Blurry vision
- Eye redness
- The feeling of something in your eye
- A gritty feeling in your eye
- Itchiness
Talk To Your Sunridge Optometrist About Putting Blue Light Lenses in Your Eyeglasses
Today, one of the major causes of dry eyes is computer use. The blue light from your screen and the brightness of your monitor reflects onto your eyes and contributes to eye dryness and tiredness. By the end of the workday, you may find that you’re squinting to see clearly.
If you wear eyeglasses, make sure to talk to your eye doctor about applying a blue light coating. This can help to minimize the amount of blue light filtering in from your screen, protecting your eyes and vision. Also, always make sure you have the right prescription in your eyeglasses!
Why It’s So Important to Talk To Your Optometrist About Dry Eyes
If you’re like most Calgarians, you may not take dry eyes seriously, but neglecting this condition can be a big mistake. If left untreated, dry eye syndrome can cause discomfort and blurry vision. It can even interfere with your daily activities.
More seriously, untreated dry eyes can cause damage to your cornea, and in severe cases, this damage can lead to permanent vision loss. Fortunately, such problems can be avoided if you visit your eye doctor for prompt treatment.
Here are two conditions of the cornea that may result, or worse, due to untreated dry eyes:
Corneal Ulcer
A corneal ulcer is an open sore on the cornea. It is caused by an eye infection or inflammation, the risk of which is greatly increased in patients with dry eyes.
Possible symptoms of a corneal ulcer include:
- Severe eye pain
- Eye redness
- Blurry vision
- Light sensitivity
- Watery eyes
- Gritty feeling in the eye
- Swollen eyelids
- A white spot on your cornea
If you develop any of the above symptoms, you must contact your optometrist straight away. Without quick treatment, a corneal ulcer can lead to scarring and even permanent vision loss.
How a corneal ulcer is treated
If you have a corneal ulcer, your eye doctor may prescribe an antibiotic, antifungal, or antiviral drops, depending on what the cause is. In addition, steroid or anti-inflammatory eye drops can help prevent scarring, pain, and vision loss.
Corneal Abrasion
A corneal abrasion refers to an injury to the outermost layer of cells on the corneal surface. Dry eyes can make these cells highly vulnerable to injury, which may result from rubbing your eyes or a foreign object. This happens because dry eyes mean your eyes are missing their natural defense against dust and debris.
Possible symptoms of corneal abrasion include:
- Eye pain, which may become worse as you open or close your eyes
- Excessive watering
- Red eyes
- Light sensitivity
- Blurry vision
- Headaches
- Gritty feeling in the eye
If you suspect you have a corneal abrasion, or you’re suffering from one or more of the above symptoms, it’s important to contact your eye doctor as soon as possible to avoid further damage.
How a corneal abrasion is treated?
Depending on the situation, your optometrist may prescribe steroid eye drops, antibiotic eye drops, or a pain reliever. You may also have to have your eye patched to ensure quicker healing of the abrasion.
Call Today
To find out more about the services provided by our Calgary eye doctors, including dry eye care, contact lens fittings, and eye emergency care, contact our eye clinic at 403-280-7518 or fill in our online contact form.
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