Dry Eyes

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Our eyes need tears to stay healthy and comfortable. If your eyes do not produce enough tears, it is called dry eye. Dry eye is also when your eyes do not make the right type of tears or tear film.

Dry Eye Symptoms:

  • You feel like your eyes are stinging and burning.
  • Blurred vision, especially when reading.
  • There is a scratchy or gritty feeling like something is in your eye.
  • There are strings of mucus in or around your eyes.
  • Your eyes are red or irritated. This is especially true when you are in the wind or near cigarette smoke.
  • It is painful to wear contact lenses.
  • You have lots of tears in your eyes.

Having a lot of tears in your eyes with dry eye might sound odd. But your eyes make more tears when they are irritated by dry eye.

Dry Eye Causes:

People tend to make fewer tears as they get older due to hormonal changes. Both men and women can get dry eye. However, it is more common in women—especially those who have gone through menopause.

Here are some other causes of dry eye:

  • Certain diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritisSjögren’s syndrome, thyroid disease, and lupus
  • Blepharitis (when eyelids are swollen or red)
  • Entropion (when eyelids turn in); ectropion (eyelids turn outward)
  • Being in smoke, wind or a very dry climate
  • Looking at a computer screen for a long time, reading and other activities that reduce blinking
  • Using contact lenses for a long time
  • Having refractive eye surgery, such as LASIK
  • Taking certain medicines, such as:
    • Diuretics (water pills) for high blood pressure
    • Beta-blockers, for heart problems or high blood pressure
    • Allergy and cold medicines (antihistamines)
    • Sleeping pills
    • Anxiety and antidepressant medicines
    • Heartburn medicines

Tell your ophthalmologist about all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you take.

Professional Eye Associates

  • Dalton Office - 1111 Professional Blvd., Dalton, GA 30720 Phone: (706) 226-2020
  • Calhoun Office - 101 Professional Court, Calhoun, GA 30701 Phone: (706) 602-7775
  • Fort Oglethorpe Office - 2498 Lafayette Rd., Ft. Oglethorpe, GA 30742 Phone: (706) 866-2020
  • Chatsworth Office - 113 West Pine Street, Chatsworth, GA 30705 Phone: (706) 971-2061

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