Your eyes are among the most sensitive organs in your body. They have to be clean at all times because they easily become irritated, especially when a foreign object rubs or scratches their surface. This creates a distinct discomfort that can make the eyes appear red, puffy, or swollen. Therefore, you must actively take care of your eyes and consult with an optometrist or ophthalmologist regularly to ensure your eyes are healthy.
One of the most common eye ailments is dry eye syndrome. This occurs when the body cannot produce enough tears to lubricate the eyes properly. When your body produces unstable or poor-quality tears, this leads to inflammation, discomfort, and damage to the eye’s surface. While dry eyes aren’t life-threatening, they can be annoying.
You must consult a trusted eye doctor to manage your condition if you suffer from dry eye syndrome. While home remedies are available to ease discomfort, it will still be best to follow the doctor’s orders. There are also different procedures they can recommend to ensure that you feel better despite your dry eyes.
Here are some ways to manage dry eyes syndrome.
Intense pulsed light therapy
One of the best and safest ways to manage dry eyes syndrome is through an in-office procedure known as intense pulsed light therapy. Dry eye IPL treatment melts the thick substances that block the meibomian glands. When these substances melt, it would then allow oil to flow freely through the glands. The therapy uses pulses of light to take care of the problems efficiently. However, a massage following IPL sessions would help the patient feel better.
Eyedrops
Doctors prescribe artificial tears to help lubricate dry eyes. Artificial tears are easily available over-the-counter and can lubricate the eyes efficiently. These medications can help heal the eyes as they may have preservatives or other agents to restore your eye health. Some eyedrops can also decrease tear evaporation, and some have thickening agents that would keep the solution on your eye longer, leading to less discomfort. Artificial tears may also be in the form of ointments, inserts, or gels, but they may cause blurred vision.
Warm compress
Another way to relieve the discomfort is by using a warm compress. You only need to wet a clean cloth with warm (not hot) water. First, you have to place the compress over your eyes for five minutes. Repeat the procedure when the cloth cools. Next, gently rub the cloth over your eyelids to remove any debris that may occlude your eyes and block your tear ducts.
Punctal occlusion
Doctors can also recommend punctal occlusion if your eyes cannot produce enough tears. The procedure is painless, and the doctor inserts a plug into the lower eyelid, which makes more tears stay in your eyes. Punctal occlusion can be temporary or permanent. In temporary punctal occlusion, doctors insert a plug that dissolves quickly. For permanent ones, however, they’ll use a silicone plug.
Summary
Managing dry eyes is easy, as several remedies are available for people who suffer from the condition. People must consult their eye doctor to ensure they receive suitable procedures to help ease their discomfort.
