DRY EYE AND ALLERGY RELIEF CENTER Dry Eye clinic, COLORADO SPRINGS
Frequently Asked Questions about dry eyes
Please call us at 609-379-3937 if you cannot find an answer to your question.
A thin layer of tears always covers your eyes to keep them wet and healthy. If you don’t have enough tears, or if they don't work the right way, your eyes will feel dry and sore. The good news is that there are many ways to stop dry eyes before they hurt your eyes and your vision. Get the help you need.
Most people know when their eyes feel dry, but everyone feels it differently. Your eyelids may feel sticky, your vision may be blurry, or your eyes may look red. You may feel like there is sand in your eyes or even feel sharp pain. If your eyes feel uncomfortable, don't ignore it—get them checked out now!
18 million Americans suffer from dry eyes. Many things cause this, like getting older, health issues, or even dry air in Colorado. Using phones and computers too much or sitting near fans also makes it worse. Dry eyes can be a small annoyance or a big problem. Don't wait for it to get worse—find out how to protect your eyes today!
Usually, dry eyes happen because you don't make enough tears, or your tears dry up too fast, or it can be due to your eyelids. Often, it's a mix of all three! Because everyone’s eyes are different, one fix won't work for everyone. You need a specific plan that fits your exact problem to get lasting relief.
Dry eyes usually get worse as time goes on. It is a long-term problem that usually just won't go away. Some health issues can slowly damage the glands that make your tears. Also, using a computer or phone every day for years, can really wear out your eyes. It is much easier to protect your eyes right now than to try to fix it after it becomes a big problem later. Don't wait—start taking care of your eyes today!
If you ignore dry eyes for too long, it can become a real emergency. Without the protective tear film that covers the clear surface of your eye (called the cornea) the eye can get very dry. It will be hard to see clearly with dry eyes. And very serious damage to the cornea can cause permanent blindness. Don't take a chance with your vision—get your eyes checked now before things get dangerous!
Your tears come from the lacrimal glands, which are tucked away behind your eyebrow bone. These glands are so smart! They make tears for many reasons, like when you cut an onion, feel a cold breeze, or see bright light. Most importantly, they work hard to make tears whenever your eyes feel too dry, and to protect your eyes.
Tears keep your eyes wet and they keep your eyes healthy and your vision clear. Tears cover the clear front of your eye, the white part, and even the inside of your eyelids. Tears are full of nutrients that "feed" your eyes and have special chemicals that fight off germs and infections.
Without a healthy tears, your eyes can't work well. If you want great vision, you need healthy tears! Come see us today to make sure your tears are healthy and protecting your eyes well.
Tears are made of three important layers that work together as a team. The first mucus layer helps the tears stick to your eye. The middle water layer washes the eye and kills germs. The outer oil layer stops your tears from drying up too fast and keeps your vision clear.
If even one of these layers is missing or weak, you will get dry eyes. To keep your vision sharp and your eyes comfortable, every layer needs to do its job. Don't let your eyes suffer—see us today to find out which layer of your tear film needs help!
Dry eyes can be a real pain. You might feel like a tiny hair or piece of sand is stuck in your eye. Your vision might keep switching from clear to blurry, and your eyes might look red and tired. Many people say their eyes sting, burn, or feel sensitive to bright lights.
These are all signs that your eyes are struggling with dry eyes. Don't just keep blinking and hoping it goes away! Come see us now so we can stop the stinging and get your eyes back to being clear and comfortable.
There are three main reasons for having dry eyes: 1) you don’t make enough tears, 2) your tears are low quality, or 3) they dry up too fast. Many times, people have more than one reason for their dry eyes. Getting older, being around wind or smoke, using computers or phones for long hours, wearing contact lenses, having certain diseases or even taking some medications can dry your eyes out.
Since there are so many different causes, you need a plan that fits you. Don't let your environment or your job ruin your vision. Call us today and find out exactly what is the exact cause for your dry eyes and how to fix it!
more Questions about dry eyes
Please call us at 609-379-3937 if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Increasing age, usually over age 50
Wearing contact lenses for many years
Poor diet/nutrition (low vitamin A or omega 3 fatty acids)
Women tend to have more dry eyes than men
People whose eyelids do not close properly or completely
People who have blepharitis, rosacea, allergies, etc
People who have diseases like Sjögren's, Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis, etc
People who use computers, phones for long periods of time
Some medications or medicated eye drops can also cause dry eyes as a side effect
Almost 16 million Americans have dry eyes. Many don't even know they have it because their symptoms are very mild.
It is very important to catch dry eye early. Starting treatment sooner is much better than waiting until your eyes are badly damaged. Think of it like your teeth: it is much easier to brush every day and get regular dental cleanings than it is to fix a painful tooth cavity later!
Don't wait for your eyes to hurt. Schedule an eye exam today to catch any problems early and keep your vision clear!
The best way to diagnose dry eyes is to visit your eye doctor for a checkup. After talking about how your eyes feel and going over your medical history, your doctor will use special tests to find the exact cause of your dry eyes.
Your eye doctor will then create a plan just for you. This might include easy at home remedies, better nutrition, or special eye drops. For tougher cases, there are advanced treatments like LipiFlow or BlephEx or punctual plugs or serum tears.
The best treatment is one that fits your daily life. Come visit us today for a personal plan that will help your eyes feel great fast and for a long time!
If you are reading this at home, you can do a simple, short questionnaire to find out if you have dry eyes. It is not a perfect test but it gives you a good idea. Click on this link to a short questionnaire https://intakeq.com/new/rnpsco. If you find out that you have dry eyes, please call us. We can help.
For mild dry eyes, you can start with simple fixes like artificial tears, gels, or ointments. Using a warm compress and gently scrubbing your eyelids and eyelashes every day also helps a lot. You don't need a prescription for these!
For moderate dry eyes, you might need prescription medicine to help you make more tears and better tears. There are also cool new treatments like LipiFlow or BlephEx or IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) that can help fix dry eye at its root. To find out which treatment is right for you, you'll need to see a doctor for a quick checkup.
Don't guess which treatment you need! Schedule your visit today so we can find the perfect solution for your dry eyes.
Treating dry eyes is usually a long-term journey. Unlike an ear infection that goes away with one pill, dry eye is more complex and there is no "quick fix."
The good news is that if you catch dry eyes early, they it is much easier to manage. As dry eye gets worse, it becomes harder and takes longer to treat. Just like a small hole in a shirt is easier to fix than a giant tear, it is better to take care of your dry eyes now before the damage grows.
Don't wait. Book an appointment today to start a simple plan that keeps your vision clear and comfortable for years to come.
Your daily habits may explain why your eyes are dry. Just like the saying goes, "prevention is better than cure." Small changes in your life can make a huge difference!
I have a few simple suggestions:
- Avoid irritants: Stay away from smoke, wind, and blowing air conditioning.
- Change your air: Use a humidifier to keep the air moist.
- Rest your eyes: Take breaks from your phone or computer and remember to blink!
- Protect yourself: Wear wrap-around sunglasses outside.
- Stay healthy: Drink lots of water and get plenty of sleep.
Your habits are the first line of defense for your vision. Start these healthy habits today and call us to see what else you can do to keep your eyes feeling great!
Sometimes, simple drops aren't enough. We may need to block the tiny drainage holes in your eyelids to keep your natural tears on your eyes longer. Other times, your eyelids might be too loose, or they may not close properly, and surgery is needed to fix them.
Schedule a visit today so we can see if these specialized treatments are the right choice for your eyes!
It may be surprising, but YES, kids can definitely get dry eyes! Because you’re reading this on a screen right now, you can probably guess why.
For schoolwork and video games, kids spend a lot of time staring at phones, tablets, and computers. While focusing hard on these screens, they forget to blink. If kids don't blink enough, their eyes can get dry, scratchy and sore.
To protect your kids' vision, try to limit their screen time and make sure they take breaks. Start a "Screen-Free Hour" at your house tonight and give their eyes a well-deserved rest!
If you work on a computer, the answer is a big YES.
Normally, we blink about 20 times a minute without even thinking about it. But when you stare at a screen, that blink rate can drop to just 4 blinks a minute. Since blinking is the only way to "spreads" fresh tears across your eye, missing those blinks causes your tear film to evaporate. If you sit near an A/C vent or in a car, that blowing air acts like a blow-dryer for your eyeballs, making everything feel dry and gritty even faster.
Use this 20-20 Rule for Your Workday:
- Every 20 minutes: Stop looking at the screen.
- For 20 seconds: Close your eyes completely.
- The Benefit: This gives your eyes a chance to "re-wet" and rest.
Saying a little mantra or take a few deep breaths during your 20-second break. I am sure your eyes will thank you!
Frequently Asked Questions about eye allergies
Please contact me you cannot find an answer to your question.
When the eyes come into contact with certain substances (irritants called allergens), the eyes release chemicals (called histamine). Histamine causes the eyes to become teary and red. The eyes become itchy. This is eye allergy (called allergic conjunctivitis).
An allergen is a substance that causes allergic reaction. Some examples of common allergens are: dust, pet dander, mold, pollen and smoke. Some people are allergic to medications in eye drops, preservatives in eye drops, perfumes and eye make-up.
Almost everyone who has eye allergy complaints of itchy eyes. Most people also have teary eyes and they look red. Even the eyelids can get swollen. Some may have burning sensations, discomfort and even sensitivity to bright lights.
Most people who have seasonal allergies- itchy noses, sneezes, stuffy/runny noses, headaches - also have eye allergies.
