Have you ever wondered why your eyes feel itchy? Itchy eyes can be very uncomfortable, and it’s not always easy to pinpoint the cause. One possible cause of itchy eyes that’s often overlooked is dry eye syndrome. In this blog post, we’ll discuss this condition, its symptoms, its potential causes, and effective dry eye treatment options in Tampa, Florida.
Understanding dry eye
Dry eye happens when your eyes don’t make enough tears or only produce tears of poor quality. Tears are essential for keeping your eyes moist and comfortable. When you don’t have enough tears, your eyes get dry, irritated, and inflamed. If left untreated, dry eye can damage the surface of your eyes and even lead to vision loss.
Symptoms of dry eye
Dry eye symptoms can include itchiness, redness, irritation, blurry vision, sensitivity to light, and feeling like there’s sand or dirt in your eyes. Your eyes may even tear up excessively as a way to make up for the lack of moisture.
Causes of dry eye
Several things can lead to dry eye. One of the main causes is getting older, as tear production slows down with age. Some medications, like antihistamines and antidepressants, can also dry out your eyes. Even environmental factors like air conditioning, heating, and wind can make your tears evaporate faster and cause dry eye.
Treatment for dry eye
Treatment options for dry eye will vary depending on the cause and its severity. In some cases, simple lifestyle changes such as taking frequent breaks from your computer, using a humidifier, and avoiding dry air or wind can help. Over-the-counter artificial tears can also provide relief, although they may not be enough in severe cases.
If you have chronic or severe dry eye, our eye doctor can suggest the best treatment for your specific case. We may recommend prescription eye drops to help reduce inflammation and increase tear production. Other treatment options we offer include Eterna or MiBo Thermoflo, which help improve the quality and quantity of your tears. Scleral contact lenses can also help relieve dry eye symptoms by providing a fluid-filled dome over the cornea, relieving dry eye and trapping moisture against the eye’s surface.
Dry eye can be a frustrating and uncomfortable condition, but with the right treatment, you can find relief from symptoms. If you’re dealing with dry, itchy eyes, talk to your eye doctor about dry eye and the best treatment options for you. At I-Care Optical in Tampa, FL, our eye doctor is an expert in diagnosing and treating dry eye. He can provide you with a variety of treatments to meet your specific needs. Give us a call today to schedule your appointment.