Dry eye is a common condition that occurs when your tears fails to provide enough tears to lubricate and nourish the front part of the eye. Nowadays, people tend to frequently use computers, smartphones and other digital devices. All of these activities make great influence on eyes. According to a research, there are about 16 million people have the symptoms of dry eye in the United States.
Normally, healthy eyes are full of tears which could offer moisture and lubrication to help make the surface of your eyes smooth and clear, and protect your eyes from infection. When the quantity or quality of tears is not able to keep the surface of the eye lubricated, it will develop into dry eye syndrome. If you are suffering from dry eyes, your eyes may have the feeling of stinging or burning. Common dry eye symptoms may include sensitivity to light, a scratchy sensation in your eyes, eye redness, difficulty driving at night or wearing your contact lenses, watery eyes or blurred vision.
There are several medications for dry eye syndrome. Treatment option various depending on the severity of your eyes.
Artificial tear drops and ointments. Most dry eye treatment starts with artificial tears. They work by increasing natural tears and healing the surface of the eye. Many types of artificial tear drops are available over the counter. Nowadays, there are many different types of drops. Some drops help to increase the water component of tears, and some just stabilize the mucus and oil layers of the tear film. Therefore, you may have to try a few to find which is right for you, or you can ask your doctor to determine which one is best.
Restasis. Chronic dry eye disease could reduce your eyes’ ability to produce tears. Restasis could lubricate the surface of your eye and it is the only eye drop that helps supplement promotes tear production. However, the effect of Restasis is not immediate. It should be taken twice per day, and must use the drops for at least 90 days.
Xiidra. It is aimed at reducing inflammation that is associated with the signs and symptoms of dry eyes. Xiidra has been thoroughly tested and approved by the FDA and can bring significant improvement in dry eye syndrome. For people who use contact lenses, do not use Xiidra before you remove them and wait at least 15 minutes. If you have the sensation of burning and get blurry vision, talk to your doctor to in time.
Steroid Eye Drops. They are generally used short-term to reduce the signs and symptoms of dry eye syndrome. There are many different types of steroid drops available. In general, some doctors tend to begin with mild steroids to treat your dry eyes. If you use steroid eye drops for a long time, they could increase the risk of developing high eye pressure or even cataracts.