Do your eyes ever feel itchy, sore or gritty? Or are they more watery than usual? Maybe you struggle wearing contact lenses — or you’re noticing frequent redness of your eyes
These are all symptoms of dry eye; a common condition and one of the main reasons that people visit an eye care professional. Dry eye occurs when the eye doesn’t produce enough tears, or if the tears that are produced are of poor quality — which is why watery eyes can still be considered ‘dry’. It can also happen if the glands on the edge of your eyelid become clogged, preventing your eyes from producing a proper tear film.
Dry eye can happen to anyone, for many reasons, but some individuals are more at risk of developing it.
This includes if you are:
• Over the age of 50
• A contact lens wearer
• A regular computer user
• Frequently in air conditioned or heated environments
• Exposed to windy, cold, dry or dusty weather
• Taking certain medications or have certain health conditions
Dry eyes can be incredibly uncomfortable and restrictive. But thankfully, it can be easily treated and managed. Simple changes you can make to your lifestyle to help alleviate symptoms of dry eye include managing screen time and staying hydrated — as well as wearing protective eyewear in the conditions that exacerbate it.
If lifestyle changes aren’t enough, a dedicated dry eye treatment plan is a fantastic alternative. Some Opticians offer dry eye clinics to help with getting a proper diagnosis, with the opportunity to get a tailored management plan in place to help reduce symptoms. At Pinder’s, we conduct a thorough investigation to understand if there are any specific issues and are able to advise on the best ways to manage this common condition.
To chat to our team about how we can help, contact your local Pinder's branch today.