Do you suffer from chronic dry eyes or red eyes? If so, you're not alone. Millions of Australians suffer from these conditions, which can be extremely debilitating.
Absolutely white, whites of the eye, is a myth. Veins in the eyes are and must be visible in healthy eyes. It is only when the red veins are dilated, the eye appears red. The drying up of lubricants and other protective fluids in the eye can cause irritation in the eye and result in unaccustomed redness and dilation of the veins in the eye. This makes the veins stand out on the whites of the eye giving the eye a reddish color.
If you suffer from either of these conditions, it's important to see an eye doctor for treatment. While there is no cure for chronic dry eyes or red eyes, there are a number of dry eye treatments that can help relieve symptoms and improve your quality of life.
A good night's sleep and repeated lubrication of the eye may not solve the problem, if the dry eye condition is a symptom of some deep rooted systemic problem.
What causes dry eyes?
Dry eyes occur when the tears that lubricate the eye are insufficient. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including aging, certain medications, and health conditions such as Sjögren's syndrome. Dry eyes can be extremely uncomfortable, causing symptoms such as burning, stinging, and itching. They can also lead to difficulty wearing contact lenses and an increased risk of eye infections. For instance people who constantly stare at the computer monitor without blinking can develop dry eyes over a period of time. Dry eyes could also be caused by obstructions in the tear ducts which reduces the amount of fluids that flow in to the eye.
Red eyes, on the other hand, are caused by inflammation of the blood vessels in the eye. This can be due to a variety of factors, including allergies, infections, and underlying health conditions such as autoimmune disorders. Red eyes can be extremely irritating, causing symptoms such as itching, burning, and light sensitivity. They can also lead to difficulty seeing and an increased risk of eye infections.
What are the symptoms of dry eyes?
A dry eye is a condition that normally does not produce any eye irritation and hence patients with dry eyes do not actually realize that they have a problem of dry eyes. Chronic dry eyes could result in pain in the eye, light sensitivity, constant gritty sensations, itching, redness and blurring of vision.
Sometimes, people with dry eyes may have excessive tears overflowing the eyes and running down the cheeks causing some confusion about the condition. However, this should be correctly interpreted as a distress signal that the eye is being deprived of lubrication and other protective fluids and is signaling the nervous system for compensation. The response is a flood of tears in the eyes. However, these tears tend to arrive too late and the eye needs to be treated and regenerated.
Diagnosis of dry eyes is done using routine clinical exams and other specific tests such as Schirmer test to determine how much moisture is present in the eye and the severity of the problem. Dyes such as fluorescein or rose Bengal are used to stain the eye surface and determine how much of the surface is dry. Another test that is often used is teat break up time test (TBUT) which helps doctors determine the time taken by the eye to respond with tears to foreign particles in the eye.
In several cases mild dry eye conditions can be set right by the use of preservative free lubricating drops in the eye. Chronic dry eyes are treated with artificial tear drops and ointments, temporary or permanent puntal occlusion, Restais, other medications using tropical steroids and surgery.
Best Eye Care Center in Coffs Harbour for Dry Eye Treatment
AussieSpecs is a premier eye care center in Coffs Harbour, offering dry eye treatment and other general optometry services including contact lenses and spectacle lenses. Our expert optometrists have over 15 years of experience in dry eye treatment and can cure your dry eyes in as little as one visit.
Our dry eye treatment is designed to help reduce the symptoms of dry eyes, including discomfort, blurred vision, redness and itching. At AussieSpecs we use specialised equipment to ensure that our patients receive the highest quality care possible.
AussieSpecs are best optometrists in Coffs Harbour for the treatment of dry eyes. We offer a range of treatments and prescription glasses to suit your individual needs. Our optometrist has many years of experience in providing eye care and contact lens services, so you can be sure that you will receive the best service possible.
We understand that dry eye can be a serious problem for many people. That’s why we offer dry eye treatment to our patients. Dry eye is defined as a chronic condition where the outer layer of the eye is exposed to excessive tear loss or evaporative drying. This causes irritation and discomfort which can lead to blurred vision, headaches and other symptoms.
Our dry eye treatment includes:
- Tear testing – To rule out any underlying ocular disease that may be causing your symptoms
- Prescription glasses – To help reduce glare and protect your eyes from injury while working or driving
- Floating contact lens replacement – To help restore clear vision while you are wearing your contact lenses