Your eyes go through many changes over the years. One change you might notice in your eyes as you get older is the frequency of feeling dryness, itchiness, or irritation in your eyes. You may be dealing with a condition known as dry eye syndrome. Dry eye occurs when your eyes stop producing enough tears or produce low-quality tears that do not keep them lubricated and moist. Chico Vision Care Optometry in Chico, CA, can help you manage dry eye symptoms and keep your eyes and vision strong.
Causes of Dry Eye
You are more likely to suffer dry eye as you age due to tear production slowing down as you get older. Overexposure to the sun or cold, windy weather, excessive computer usage, and extensive use of contact lenses can put you at risk of developing dry eye syndrome. Some health issues, certain types of medication, and eye allergies can affect tear production and cause dry eye. Poor lifestyle habits like excessive smoking and drinking can also lead to problems with chronic dry eye syndrome.
Dry Eye Symptoms
Some people only have mild dry eye symptoms that are easy to manage with over-the-counter eye drops. Other dry eye cases can be more severe and cause symptoms like dry, itchy, or gritty sensations in your eyes. Your eyes can also have a painful burning sensation or look tired and red from dry eye syndrome. You may also wake up with crusty eyes from dried mucus. Dry eye syndrome can also produce watery eyes as your eye glands work overtime to try to relieve dryness. Eye allergies can worsen your dry eye symptoms and make it challenging to focus and use your eyes. An optometrist near you can evaluate your condition and recommend dry eye solutions to obtain relief.
Chronic Dry Eye Treatment
Chronic dry eye can be frustrating, but your optometrist can offer several dry eye solutions to relieve symptoms and restore your eye health. Your eye doctor near you may recommend over-the-counter artificial tears for mild symptoms to keep your eyes lubricated and moist. Your eye doctor can prescribe eye drops to stimulate tear production for more severe symptoms.
Lifestyle changes like smoking or drinking less, reducing screen time, and reducing contact lens usage can help minimize dry eye symptoms. An optometrist near you may also recommend tear duct plugs to keep your tears from draining and increase moisture in your eyes. Our optometry team will help you choose a treatment that works well for you and is conducive to your eye health needs.
See a Chico, CA, Eye Doctor Near You to Get Dry Eye Syndrome Treatment
Dry eye syndrome symptoms can make your day-to-day life frustrating, so contact Chico Vision Care Optometry in Chico, CA, to get treatment for your chronic dry eye today. Call us and schedule an appointment today at (530) 342-9644 to keep your eyes healthy and your vision strong.