Treatment and Relief of Chronic Dry Eyes
Our eyes are probably the most fragile organ in our bodies. They also give us one of the most important things needed to lead a normal life: sight. Life would indeed be difficult if your eyesight was affected. It is very important to take due care of your eyes. And yet, more than 48 percent of the country’s’ population over the age of 18 years suffers from the painful condition known as dry eyes. This means nearly half of America’s adult population seeks treatment and relief of chronic dry eyes at some point in their lifetimes. This is a serious problem, but one that can be solved by proper medical treatment.
Dry eyes are caused when they do not receive enough lubrication. The human body produces a tear film that prevents friction between the eyes and the eyelids. If this lubrication is not produced in adequate quantities, the eyes get dehydrated and are thus called dry eyes. The causes may be related to one’s lifestyle or occupation. Sometimes this problem may also be caused because of hormonal imbalances in the body. Constant use of mobile phones and computers is one of the most common lifestyle-related causes of dry eyes. Most people need to use electronic devices for work and more and more people are putting in long hours into work. While you can’t avoid exposure to computers and mobile phones, you can take multiple short breaks during the day.
If your eyes are drying out because of reasons other than your lifestyle, you can seek treatment and relief for chronic dry eyes from your doctor. Commonly used treatments include applying artificial tears to the eyes, eye drops, and punctal plugs, among others. Artificial tears are available as both prescription and non-prescription drugs and may be used for mild cases of dry eyes. If artificial tears are not enough to provide relief, doctors may switch to steroid eye drops, which reverse redness, swelling, and inflammation of the eyes. Although effective, many doctors believe that steroid eye drops should only be used for a short period of time and in conjunction with artificial tears. A punctal plug is a small device inserted into an opening of the tear drainage ducts located in the eye. A punctal plug helps eyes remain lubricated longer by the tear film.
The treatment and relief for chronic dry eyes has many different approaches and we strongly recommend that you seek professional medical advice before opting for any of them. Many of us hate to admit it, but we avoid going to the doctor for seemingly trivial health issues. However, when it comes to health, it may be better to err on the side of caution. This does not mean you should run to the hospital after a harmless sneeze but you must remain vigilant and make note of unusual changes in the body that persist and don’t seem to reverse on their own. ‘Prevention is better than cure’ is the motto to live when it comes to health, especially that of your eyes.
