The Different Kinds of Dry Eye

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Are your eyes bothering you? You might have a disease called dry eye. But what is dry eye, and what causes it? Your optometrist in North Syracuse, NY, can go over everything about dry eye with you. But until then, here’s what you might want to know.

What Is Dry Eye?

Dry eye is a disease that affects the different layers of tears that cover the outermost layer of your eyes. When your tear layers are disrupted, you will begin to experience symptoms of dry eye.

What Are the Symptoms of Dry Eye?

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you might need to have a dry eye exam in North Syracuse, NY.

  • Burning or stinging feeling in your eyes
  • Light sensitivity
  • Blurred vision
  • Eye mucus
  • Watery eyes, along with excess tear production

What Causes Dry Eye?

Dry eye occurs when your eyes don’t make enough tears; your tears evaporate too quickly, or both. There are also certain risk factors that can lead to getting dry eye. For example, environmental factors, some medications, lifestyle, medical conditions, surgery, and getting older can all contribute to your getting dry eye disease.

The Different Kinds of Dry Eye

There are several kinds of dry eye disease.

  • Aqueous Deficient

Aqueous deficient dry eye is when your eyes don’t make enough tears. This type of dry eye occurs when the upper outer corner of your eyes doesn’t make enough tears.

  • Evaporative

Evaporative dry eye is when your tears evaporate too quickly. This type of dry eye occurs when the glands in your eyelids that make the outer, oily layer of your tear film aren’t working as they should.

  • Mixed

Mixed dry eye is a combination of both aqueous deficient and evaporative dry eye. This type of dry eye occurs when your eyes don’t make enough tears, and your tear film is weak.

Are You Looking for a Reputable Optometrist in North Syracuse, NY?

4 Ways to Prevent Dry Eye This Winter

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Dry eye is a condition that can cause discomfort in a variety of ways. Dry eyes can lead to itching, redness, excess tears, and more. Winter can feel especially long if you’re suffering from dry eye the entire time, but fortunately, there are things you can do to stop this problem. Working with your eye doctor in North Syracuse, NY, can help. Here’s what you need to know.

1. Control Your Environment At Home

A dry environment can contribute to dry eye. The dryer the air in your home, the worse your problem can be. You can control the humidity in your home by using a humidifier to put moisture back into the air. Standard portable humidifiers add moisture to the air in one location only, so if you have a portable humidifier, use it in the parts of the house where you spend the most time.

2. Use Artificial Tears

Artificial tears are a product that’s available to consumers at pharmacies. Artificial tears are made of saline and available without a prescription. Keep artificial tears on hand and use them throughout the day to keep your eyes moist and comfortable.

3. Wear Sunglasses

Sunglasses can help protect your eyes from harsh, cold winds and bright glare that can do damage to your eyes. Many people think of sunglasses as a summer accessory, but sunglasses can help protect your eyes from dry eye when you’re outdoors doing winter activities as well. If you don’t have prescription sunglasses, get them now before winter arrives.

4. See the Eye Doctor

If you continue to have symptoms of dry eye even after taking steps like the ones above to protect your eyes from harsh winds and more, see your eye doctor at McPherson Optometry P.C.

There are many reasons that people experience dry eye, including side effects from medications and seasonal allergies. If you continue to experience dry eye in North Syracuse, NY, call to make an appointment. We’ll be happy to help you understand the cause of your dry eye and work out a solution.

3 Reasons Dry Eyes Tend to Worsen in the Winter  

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Itchy, watery, irritated eyes are frustrating to contend with, and sometimes, the problem seems to worsen in the winter. It is definitely not your imagination. More people do look for dry eye treatment in North Syracuse, NY through the winter months. Take a look at a few reasons why dry eyes become worse in the winter for many people.

1. Exposure to colder temperatures

Colder temperatures can do the same thing to your eyes as they do to your skin: cause dryness and general discomfort. Many people experience a change in eye moisture levels when they are exposed to cold air outdoors. This occurs because the cold temperatures essentially change the viscosity of the lubricating fluids that normally keep your eyes comfortable. Try to limit your exposure to really cold temperatures through the winter and always wear sunglasses to protect the eyes from direct bursts of cold air with the wind.

2. Exposure to lower humidity levels

Lower humidity levels can cause fluid in your eyes to evaporate faster than usual. Naturally, New York winters come along with lower humidity levels. And, the issue is not just a problem when you are outdoors. Most indoor heat sources also cause a drastic drop in indoor humidity levels that can affect your eyes. For some people, it can be helpful to use a humidifier to keep moisture levels in the air higher and the eyes more comfortable.

3. More time spent indoors with allergens

When winter settles in, most people do spend more time indoors than out. Indoor environments are often filled with allergens you are not exposed to outdoors, or at least the levels are highly concentrated in the air. For example, if you have pets, pet dander accumulates indoors. These allergens can provoke symptoms if you have a sensitivity to pet dander, and dry eyes are a common symptom of a pet dander allergy.

Looking for dry eye treatment in North Syracuse, NY?

Even though your issues with dry eyes can ebb and flow with the seasons, there is no reason to suffer through the irritation. Be sure to reach out to an eye doctor in North Syracuse, NY to discuss your symptoms and treatment options that can help. Reach out to McPherson Optometry to schedule your appointment for dry eye treatment.

 

Got a Stye On Your Eye? Home Remedies, When to Call the Eye Doctor, and More

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Styes are a small, localized infection affecting hair follicles or oil glands in the eyelid. The problem is relatively common among children, who are more likely to rub their eyes. However, styes can affect anyone and can stem from not properly cleaning contact lenses, wearing certain types of makeup, and a number of other everyday actions. If you have a stye, you may find some relief with home treatment, but you should also know when to see the eye doctor for help.

Home Remedies for Mild Styes

Mild styes can usually be treated at home and will subside in a few days. In general, you will need to keep your eyelid really clean and help encourage the oils trapped in the area to drain. Try to:

  • Avoid wearing eye makeup on your eyelids for a few days
  • Take the time to clean your eyelid with baby shampoo or mild soap and water a few times daily
  • Use a warm compress made of a wet tea bag to apply gentle pressure to the area
  • Massage the area with a clean finger gently

Avoid trying to scratch, pop, or poke at the stye. This may look like a pimple, but trying to squeeze the stye can actually make the problem worse.

When to Call an Eye Doctor for Help

Even though a stye will most often go away relatively quickly, occasionally, the small issue can become a more worrisome problem. You should reach out to the eye doctor for advice if:

  • The stye appears to be growing instead of getting smaller
  • The stye seems to be interfering with your ability to see because of its size or placement
  • The stye is not going away or you have repetitive problems

Common Treatments for Eye Styes

Eye styes that are not going away on their own may require further treatment from your eye doctor. The medical professional may prescribe topical antibiotics, oral antibiotics, or other forms of medicinal treatment. In extremely rare cases, a stye will need to be surgically lanced or removed.

Call a North Syracuse Eye Doctor for Help

While styes usually go away on their own, you may occasionally need to visit your eye doctor in North Syracuse for help. If you have issues with styes or other eye health concerns, reach out to us at Mcpherson Optometry to schedule an appointment.

 

What Are Dry Eyes?

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Do your eyes feel dry and itchy? This is not uncommon, but it is also not normal. If you have dry eyes, it is always important for you to determine what’s causing it. Dry eyes occur when your eyes are not producing enough tears, or the tears that are being produced are not of a good quality. As a result, the eyes can be painfully dry.

dry-eye-syndrome

What Are the Symptoms?

Your eyes may feel scratchy and burn. They may be sensitive to light and may sting when you are driving at night. If you wear contact lenses, you may notice that they seem painful. Some people develop a mucus around the eyes.

What’s Causing It?

Dry eyes can occur as a result of adequate tears. Tears are made up of fatty oils, water, and mucus, all designed to keep the eye’s surface clear and smooth. Getting older makes you more likely to develop this condition. Some medical conditions, such as lupus, arthritis, diabetes, and thyroid disorders, can also cause it. Eyelid problems as well as environmental factors, such as being in wind or smoke, can also make this more likely to occur.

What Treatment Options Are Available?

If you have dry eyes just once, using over-the-counter tear products may be an okay option. For others, it’s important to understand the cause of the dry eyes so you can get more effective treatment. Your eye doctor can help. Some medications may help to stimulate the production of tears. Others can also work to improve the quality of tears you have. In addition, more advanced treatments, such as the use of eye inserts that work like artificial tears, can also help.

Some people may need a procedure to open the tear ducts. Others need to have the tear ducts closed to limit the loss of tears. Unblocking oil glands may also be an option.

Do You Think You Have Dry Eyes? Make an Appointment Today

At McPherson Optometry, P.C., we offer treatment options for most causes of dry eyes. Don’t live in discomfort. Call us today at 315-458-1000 to schedule an eye exam.