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Dry Eye Relief: Practical Tips for Everyday Comfort

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Dry eye is a familiar, uncomfortable sensation, especially in today’s digital world. Gritty, itchy eyes are frustrating, but the good news is that a few minor lifestyle changes can make a difference. As part of our medical eye care in Pittsburgh, PA, our professionals can offer tips for things you can do each day to relieve or prevent dry eye syndrome.

Effective Hydration

Put simply, dry eye syndrome is about hydration, not just for your body but also for your eyes. Dry eyes occur when something interferes with the healthy tear film layer over your eyes. That ‘something’ could be anything from excess screen time to normal aging.

Proper hydration for dry eyes covers three key categories:

  • Drinking enough water throughout the day—Water is crucial for tear development.
  • Lubricating your eyes—Your eye doctor in Pittsburgh, PA, might recommend an artificial tear product to lubricate the tear film layer.
  • Keeping the air moist—This is essential in the winter when the heating systems dry the air.

Moisture is the key to protecting your eyes and keeping them lubricated.

Lifestyle Adjustments

Blue light and screen time can significantly contribute to dry eye syndrome. When you stare at a screen, you blink less and strain your eyes.

A practical way to reduce eye strain is to make adjustments in front of a screen. First, make sure the screen is at least an arm’s length away from your face—that includes your smartphone. Position screens just below eye level, as well.

Also, follow the 20-20-20 rule to give your eyes a break. This rule involves staring at something 20 feet away from you for 20 seconds every 20 minutes.

If these tips don’t alleviate your dry eyes, you should make an appointment with an eye doctor in Pittsburgh, PA, for professional help. Call us today and set it up.

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Common Causes of Dry Eye

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Dry eyes can be a debilitating condition to deal with. The gritty, itchy, dry feeling can impact your comfort throughout the day. To treat dry eye effectively, your eye doctor in Pittsburgh, PA, eye doctors will need to find the underlying cause. Here are some common causes of dry eye to watch for.

Changes As You Age

People make fewer tears as they age. Sometimes, dry eye is simply a result of the aging process. In these cases, the best treatment is management of the condition to improve your comfort.

Medications

Many medications have dry eye as a side effect. If you’re on a medication, your doctors at Lappen Eye Care will help you determine if that could be a contributing factor. Sometimes, medication changes are important, while other times, you simply need to learn to live with the condition so you can continue taking your medicine.

Hormone Changes

Changes that occur during pregnancy and menopause, as well as some hormonal conditions like thyroid disorders, can lead to dry eye. Sometimes, treading these hormonal changes or imbalances, when appropriate, can help.

Contact Lens Wear

Over time, wearing contact lenses can contribute to dry eye. Sometimes, if the dry eye is bad enough, you may want to talk to your eye doctor in Pittsburgh, PA, about switching to glasses. Other options may include using lubricating drops to help keep your contacts comfortable.

Chronic Health Conditions

Many autoimmune disorders and chronic health conditions can contribute to dry eye problems. Again, if you can treat this underlying condition, you’ll likely find that your dry eye improves.

Dry eye doesn’t have to be debilitating. With help from the eye doctors at Lappen Eye Care, you can effectively treat or manage this condition. Schedule an eye exam to discuss your dry eye concerns today.

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Are Dry Eyes Caused By Clogged Glands?

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If you have dry eye, you already know how frustrating it can be to see when you can’t produce tears. Whether you have occasional bouts on the 11th hour of your workday or you experience day after day, dry eyes can be a bigger problem than just an inconvenience. Below, we’ll look at the causes of dry eyes, giving you a better idea of what to do about them.

Dry Eyes in Pittsburgh, PA

Dry eyes are often linked to clogged meibomian glands, the thin glands on the edge of your eyelids. If you think of tears as saline only, you should know that healthy tears also contain oil (in addition to water and salt). If the gland that produces that oil begins to clog, the tears that you do produce won’t have the same lubricating effect. This is why eye doctors in Pittsburgh, PA might recommend warm compresses or other types of targeted heat therapy. By gently warming the glands, you thin the oil inside them so that it can exit through your eyelid.

Are Clogged Glands Always the Problem?

Not all dry eyes in Pittsburgh, PA trace to a problem with the glands. Anything from immune disorders to medications to contact lenses can be an issue, which is why it can help to talk to a professional about the issue —especially if home remedies like eye drops have only done so much to curb the problem.

If you’re looking for a team that can help you find a more definitive answer to your dry eye, consider scheduling an eye exam at Lappen Eye Care. With locations in Pittsburgh, Greensburg, South Hills, and McMurray, we’re here to help you and your family get the care they need to see comfortably.

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Can I Wear Contacts With Dry Eyes?

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Dry eyes and contact lenses in Pittsburgh, PA usually don’t mix well, but it’s not impossible to wear contacts with this condition, as long as the dry eye syndrome is being treated by an optometrist.

What is Meant by Dry Eyes?

Dry eyes occur when the eyes don’t produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly, leading to discomfort, irritation, and redness. For those who try to wear contact lenses, this condition can worsen, causing the lenses to feel uncomfortable, blurry, or even painful. So, can you wear contacts with dry eyes? Well, it depends.

The Impact of Dry Eyes on Contact Lens Wear

Contacts do have a minimal effect on the surface moisture content of the eye. When you have dry eyes, your eyes may not produce enough moisture to keep your lenses comfortable. This can result in the lenses feeling dry, gritty, or irritating. Contacts can also disrupt the natural tear film that protects the surface of your eyes, exacerbating dryness. The thing is, you could end up with a bigger problem if your cornea ends up getting scratched as a result.

Choosing the Right Contacts

If you have dry eyes but still want to wear contacts, there are options designed to minimize discomfort. Soft, silicone hydrogel lenses allow more oxygen to reach the eye, which helps keep your eyes hydrated. You could also talk to your optometrist in Pittsburgh, PA about scleral lenses, which don’t actually make contact with the cornea itself. Some contact lenses are also designed specifically for dry eye sufferers, offering moisture-locking features or better hydration to reduce irritation.

If you’re determined to wear contacts even though you suffer from dry eyes, talk to Lappen Eye Care. We can recommend various options that might make that possible. Get in touch today.

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How to Recognize and Manage Dry Eye Syndrome

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If you find yourself wondering if you are one of the millions of people with dry eye syndrome, contact your optometrist in Pittsburgh, PA at Lappen Eye Care for an appointment. Dry eye syndrome isn’t just a minor inconvenience. It’s a serious condition that can lead to serious consequences if left untreated. Whatever you do, don’t try to treat your dry eyes with those eye drops you see at the drug store promising to keep your eyes moist. Sure, you might get temporary relief, but in the long run, they can make your condition worse. Learn more about recognizing and managing dry eye syndrome.

What is Dry Eye Syndrome?

Dry eye syndrome occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly. This condition can lead to symptoms like irritation, redness, a gritty sensation, and blurred vision. Environmental factors, such as dry air or prolonged screen time, can exacerbate these symptoms. If you live in Pittsburgh, where seasonal changes can affect humidity levels, you may be particularly susceptible to dry eyes.

Recognizing Symptoms

Common symptoms of dry eye syndrome include persistent dryness, burning, itching, and a feeling of something foreign in the eye.

Causes and Risk Factors

Age, hormonal changes and certain medical conditions like diabetes or autoimmune disorders can raise risks. Environmental elements such as wind, smoke, and prolonged exposure to screens can also play a role.

Managing Dry Eye Syndrome

To manage dry eye syndrome effectively at home, start by incorporating lifestyle changes. Take regular breaks from screens, and follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Stay hydrated, and consider using a humidifier to add moisture to the air in your home or office.

This is information for home use, but you really need to see your optometrist at Lappen Eye Care for professional dry eye syndrome treatment in Pittsburg, PA. Contact us today to book your appointment.

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Do Home Masks Work for Dry Eyes?

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Dry eyes are a common medical condition, but they’re also one of the least serious disorders you can have. Because they’re not particularly dangerous, it’s easy for people to pick up a few eye drops and call it a day. Of course, chronic dry eye is a different story that can impact your vision at key times of day (like when driving). We’ll examine how home masks work and whether you should try one.

Dry Eyes and Masks

Dry eyes in Pittsburgh, PA can be caused by anything from medications to hereditary disorders. In these cases, dry eye masks may not make much difference. That’s because masks target the meibomian gland, otherwise known as the gland that produces the oil that mixes with your tears to combat dry eye. When this gland is clogged, the oil production can slow or stop entirely. A dry eye mask can gently loosen up the oil so it can exit through the eyelid.

Do Dry Eye Masks Work?

The short answer is that dry eye masks do work for some people. In fact, warm compresses made from a washcloth can be equally effective, depending on the severity of the condition. That’s because warming the oil will make it more fluid, so you can enjoy better quality tears and keep dry eyes at bay.

Curing Dry Eye in Pittsburgh, PA

For some people, dry eyes are little more than a nuisance, solved with little more than a hot shower or a good night’s sleep. For others, they may need occasional home remedies for relief. For more serious cases, though, ones that cause more extreme discomfort, it can help to see an eye doctor in Pittsburgh.

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Tips for Managing Dry Eye at Home

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When you’re suffering from chronic dry eye, finding solutions is difficult. One of the most important things to do is check in with your Pittsburgh area eye doctor for medical care. However, there are things you can do at home to manage the burning, gritty feeling in your eyes. Here are some tips from the team at Lappen Eye Care to help you get on track.

Use Warm Compresses

Sometimes, dry eye occurs because of inflammation and debris clogging the oil-producing glands on the lid of the eye. A warm compress can thin out this inflammation and gunk, allowing the glands to produce oil and keep the eye moist. Leave the compress on your eye for at least one minute, then use gentle pressure to clear any clogs after warming the eye.

Train Yourself to Blink

Many people do desk jobs that reduce how much time they blink each hour. Train yourself to blink more often. You can also close your eyes for 20 seconds every 20 minutes while you’re sitting at your desk.

Up Your Fish Oil

Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in salmon and tuna, are great for eye health. Try including these in your diet. If you can’t, then add a supplement if your doctor thinks it is a good idea.

Hydrate!

Drink ample water to keep your eyes moist. Eight to ten glasses of water a day are ideal, and balance any caffeine or alcohol intake with additional water. Including foods that are high in water, like cucumber, in your diet can also help.

As you implement these changes at home, make sure you’re keeping up with any medical advice from your eye doctor. Schedule an eye exam to ensure your eyes are healthy. Dry eye is no joke, but you can get help with the treatment Lappen Eye Care. Schedule an appointment today.

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Are There Serious Ill Effects of Dry Eye Disease

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If your eyes don’t produce enough tears to adequately lubricate your eyes, or if your tears dry too quickly, there can be some consequences that lead to serious consequences for your vision. Diagnosing dry eyes that might cause lasting issues with your sight is the job of your vision specialists at Lappen Eye Care.

What is Dry Eye Syndrome?

Detecting dry eye syndrome is the job of the trained professionals at our four locations in the Pittsburgh area. If you experience discomfort from dry eyes, be sure to mention the problem to your eye doctor at your next appointment. Early detection of a problem can be key to successful treatment. Left untreated, chronic dry eyes might lead to corneal ulcers, conjunctivitis, an inability to wear contact lenses, extreme light sensitivity, migraine headaches, or mood disorders, including depression.

Most of the issues associated with chronic dry eye are readily treatable by your professional eye doctor, but it pays to understand that tears are necessary for optimal eye health. Go ahead and cry during sad movies — it’s good for your eyes. But, if at other times and during normal activities, your eyes are frequently red or if they feel gritty or sandy, you should ask your vision specialist or family eye doctor to check for chronic dry eye.

Things to Avoid if Your Eyes Are Dry

Wind, interior air conditioning, and too much screen time can exacerbate dry eye issues, so you might want to keep a log that details when and how often your eyes feel overly dry. Over-the-counter drops can help alleviate symptoms, but if your eyes are continually dry or if your vision becomes blurred, you should schedule a consultation with your eye professional.

Our doctors will perform the necessary tests to determine what further actions will benefit your dry eye condition.

Request an appointment at one of our convenient locations. Protecting your eyes is one of the best ways to boost overall wellness and enjoy life. Don’t put that off.

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What’s Causing My Eyes to Itch?

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Do your eyes itch seasonally or throughout the year? Understanding the cause of the itching and what you can do to alleviate it can help you stay comfortable. Your eye doctor in the Pittsburgh area can help.

 

What Causes Itchy Eyes?

Although many things can cause eyes to itch, the most common cause is allergies. Allergy to pollen affects many people at specific times of the year. Pet dander is another allergy that can cause eyes to become itchy.

Some people are allergic to lotions or makeup. Irritants in the environment like smoke and dust can cause eyes to become itchy. Some people even get itchy eyes because of their contact lens solution.

 

How to Find The Cause

While you may be able to identify the cause of your itchy eyes through trial and error, an allergist can help as well. Allergists perform tests to find out what patients are allergic to, so they can take steps to protect themselves.

 

How to Alleviate the Itching

Never rub itchy eyes. Rubbing your eyes can cause injury and can cause further irritation.

If you’re allergic to something in the environment, try to limit your exposure. Close your windows to keep out pollen and increase your cleaning regimen at home. Change your sheets often. Artificial tears can help as well.

 

Have Dry Eyes? Contact Your Eye Doctor

Some people get itchy eyes because of a condition called “dry eye.” Dry eye can be caused by medications and medical conditions. If you have severe dry eye, your eye doctor can help. See the eye doctor at Lappen Eye Care for an eye exam in the Pittsburgh area. Call today to make an appointment.

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Testing for Dry Eye Disease

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People worldwide experience dry eye disease, and some don’t even know it. Dry eye disease in Pittsburg, PA, occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears, those tears dry up too quickly, or both. But before your eye doctor can determine if you have dry eye disease, they will need to perform one or more of the following tests.

Testing for Dry Eye Disease
Here is what you can expect.

Slit Lamp Exam
The Slit lamp exam checks to see how much tear production your eyes are producing. This is done by your eye doctor shining a light into each individual eye. They then use a microscope to inspect your eyes.

Schirmer’s Test
The Schirmer’s test involves your eye doctor in Pittsburgh, PA placing a small piece of paper across your eyelid. It will be left there for several minutes, causing your eyes to produce tears. The doctor will then measure your tears by examining how much of the paper is covered.

Tear Breakup Time (TBUT) Test
The Tear Breakup Time test checks your eyes for how quickly your tears evaporate. Your eye doctor will dye your eyes and use a microscope to see how long the tear film remains. This is checked by measuring the amount of time between your last blink and when the first dry spot on your eye shows up. You might have dry eye disease if it’s fewer than 10 seconds.

Antibody Tests
Antibody tests are sometimes performed to check and see if you have any underlying medical conditions.

Do You Need an Optometrist in Pittsburgh, PA?
You should never leave eye issues untreated, or else you risk them getting worse. Contact Lappen Eye Care today to schedule a dry eye evaluation. We have state-of-the-art equipment and resources to provide you with the best optical care available.