Do you suffer from dry eyes? If so, you're not alone. Dry eye syndrome is a common condition affecting millions of people worldwide. Various factors, including aging, environmental factors, and certain medications, cause dry eye. If left untreated, it can lead to further complications such as infection, scarring, and even vision loss. 

Continue reading to know more about dry eyes, why you should get treatment, and what you can use as dry eye home remedies for a quick fix. 

How Often Should You Have Dry Eyes Examined?

If you experience ongoing dry eyes and any of the following signs:

• Red eyes; 
• Light sensitivity; 
• An inability to wear contacts; 
• Blurred vision or eye tiredness; 
• A sensation that something is in your eyes; 
• Watery eyes, which can occur as a result of irritation brought on by dryness;

Problems Associated with Untreated Dry Eye

Untreated, dry eye can have several adverse side effects, including infections, inflammation, corneal abrasions or ulcers (sores), vision loss, and difficulty seeing enough to read, drive, or perform other tasks.

How do these difficulties arise? Remember that dry eye occurs when your tears don't function properly or when there aren't enough tears to keep your eyes wet. Tears allow you to communicate your emotions while preserving your eyes' health.

One benefit is that they help wipe away bacteria, protecting the surface of your eyes from infections. Yet, if you have dry eyes, your tears won't be sufficient to carry out this action. As a result, ocular disorders are more likely to occur. Moreover, eye infections may have adverse effects like permanent vision loss.

Moreover, tears remove outside irritants like dirt and dust. Thus, a lack of lubrication in your eyes can cause corneal ulcers or less severe abrasions (minor scratches to the transparent outer layer of your eye) (sores on your corneas).

Additionally, there is a complex relationship between eye inflammation and dry eyes. A dry eye can be brought on by inflammation in the tissues surrounding the eye, including the tear ducts. Yet, dry eye illness can potentially harm your cornea and increase inflammation. By directing immune cells to the wounded location, your body causes that. Hence, inflammation and dry eye could interact in a vicious cycle that worsens the illness.

What Beneficial Actions Can a Doctor Take?

While particular forms of dry eye can be managed at home, dry eye syndrome is a group of issues with a wide range of underlying causes. Your quality of life can be improved, and difficulties can be avoided if you know how to manage dry eye properly. They could recommend a procedure, provide medicine, or propose different treatments to treat dry eye.

In addition to being a symptom of dry eye syndrome, other medical conditions such as Sjogren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, lymphoma, and systemic lupus erythematosus may also be present. If you visit a doctor to have it examined, a condition that affects your entire body could be identified early.

Finally, having dry eyes can make it more challenging to undergo popular surgeries like laser eye surgery. Before you have any such procedures, ensure that it is adequately treated.

Dry Eye Remedies

Dry eye masks are typically made of a lightweight, breathable fabric that helps keep the eyes moist and comfortable. The mask is designed to sit comfortably over the eyes and provide gentle pressure, which helps to stimulate the production of tears. The fabric also helps to keep the eyes warm and reduces any inflammation.

Using a dry eye mask can be beneficial for many reasons. It may reduce dryness and redness and reduce the amount of irritation and discomfort. It can also help reduce the amount of light coming into the eyes, which can benefit people who suffer from light sensitivity. 

Additionally, the mask can help reduce the amount of time the eyes are exposed to air, which can help reduce the risk of infection.

Conclusion

The importance of treating dry eye cannot be overstated. A dry eye can cause unpleasant symptoms, such as itching, burning, light sensitivity, and blurred vision. Treating dry eye is essential for protecting the health of your eyes. Depending on the cause and severity of the dry eye, treatments may involve artificial tears, medications, lifestyle changes, or the best eye mask for dry eyes. 

The dry eye problem is the focus of the specialty eye care provider Dry Eye Shop. We offer comprehensive care for treating and preventing dry, irritated eyes. Get dry eye remedies here!