Treating Dry Eye in Raleigh and Rocky Mount, NC
Visiting an optometrist in Raleigh, North Carolina offers the opportunity to address dry eyes and the possible complications that arise from the situation. An eye doctor uses appropriate tools and treatments based on the underlying cause of dry eye and the factors that contribute to your concerns.
What is Dry Eye?
Dry eye refers to a condition that requires treatment from an eye doctor. Essentially, your eyes do not produce enough tears, which results in lower nourishment and an uncomfortable scratchiness in your eyes. In certain situations, it is the quality of the tears that causes the uncomfortable feeling. When quality impacts the underlying discomfort, it means that your eyes still produce tears in appropriate quantities, but the eyes remain unnourished due to the quality of your tears.
The signs and symptoms of dry eyes include:
- Burning or scratchy eyes
- Redness
- Light sensitivity
- Blurry vision
- A feeling that you have an eyelash or dirt in your eyes
When the problem persists for an extended period, contact an optometrist in Raleigh and evaluate the situation. Although many factors contribute to your symptoms, an eye doctor has the tools to evaluate the situation and provide appropriate treatment solutions.
Causes of Dry Eyes
The underlying causes of dry eyes depend on your situation and your body. Common causes or factors that contribute to the situation include:
- Aging
- Medical conditions, like diabetes or thyroid disorders
- Vitamin deficiencies, particularly vitamin A deficiencies
- Laser eye surgery
- Problems with the eyelids
- Medications
- Inflammation or infections
Ultimately, a treatment plan depends on the underlying causes of dry eyes. When it relates to a surgical procedure, the symptoms will usually fade over time as the eyes completely recover. When symptoms stem from problems with the eyelids or medical conditions, you might need more drastic measures to eliminate the discomfort. Certain factors are not within personal control, such as aging, so you must discuss your options with a professional before looking at drastic solutions.
Treatment Solutions
Treatment options for dry eyes ultimately depend on the underlying causes. By recognizing the factors that cause the discomfort, you address more than just the basic symptoms.
Common treatments to help with your discomfort include:
- Using eye drops, particularly for temporary factors
- Taking nutritional supplements to improve nutrient quality of tears
- Reducing inflammation with medications
- Surgical procedures
At the Family Eye Care Center, we offer treatment solutions based on the underlying cause of your discomfort and the dry eyes. We evaluate and diagnose dry eyes before making any recommendations for an appropriate treatment plan. We also make sure that we have information about your medical history to ensure that the eye drops or medications are appropriate for your needs.
Dry eyes are an uncomfortable problem, but you have treatment solutions that help address the underlying causes and start improving the way that your eyes produce tears. For more details about treating dry eyes or to set up an appointment to talk to an optometrist in Raleigh or Rocky Mount, contact us today.