Red Flags to Know About
Recognizing the signs of dry eye can help you get the treatment you need. To help, there's Cequa, a prescription eye drop used to treat dry eye disease by increasing tear production.
10 Signs of Dry Eye
1. Burning or Stinging Sensation
One of the most common signs of dry eye is a burning or stinging feeling in your eyes. This sensation can be annoying and may make it hard to focus on tasks like reading or using a computer.
2. Itchy Eyes
If your eyes often feel itchy, it may be a sign of dry eye. Itching can make you want to rub your eyes, but this can make the problem worse and lead to more irritation.
3. Excessive Tearing
It might seem strange, but dry eyes can sometimes cause excessive tearing. When your eyes are dry, your body tries to compensate by producing more tears. However, these tears may not be of the right quality to keep your eyes comfortable.
4. Redness
Many people with dry eye notice that their eyes appear red. This redness happens because the eyes are irritated and inflamed. It can make you look tired or unwell.
5. Blurred Vision
Another sign of dry eye is blurred vision. This can occur when your eyes do not have enough moisture to focus properly. The blurriness may come and go and can be more noticeable after long periods of reading or staring at a screen.
6. Eye Fatigue
You might feel tired eyes after activities like reading or using a computer for a long time. Eye fatigue can occur because your eyes are working harder to stay comfortable when they are dry.
7. Sensitivity to Light
If you find that bright lights or sunlight bothers your eyes, you may be experiencing sensitivity to light, which can be linked to dry eye. This sensitivity can make it uncomfortable to be outside or in brightly lit spaces.
8. Gritty Feeling
Some people with dry eye describe a gritty or sandy feeling in their eyes. This sensation can make you feel like something is stuck in your eye, which can be irritating and uncomfortable.
9. Difficulty Wearing Contact Lenses
If you wear contact lenses, you might notice that they become uncomfortable or feel like they don’t fit well. Dry eyes can make wearing contacts difficult, leading to discomfort and the need to take them out.
10. Eye Discharge
Sometimes, dry eyes can lead to a thick, yellowish discharge. This can happen as your eyes try to compensate for the dryness. If you notice discharge, it’s essential to seek medical advice.
Treatments for Dry Eye
If you experience any signs of dry eye, there are several treatments available to help you feel better. Here are some options:
- Artificial tears: Over-the-counter artificial tears can help lubricate your eyes and provide relief from dryness. It’s essential to choose preservative-free options if you plan to use them frequently.
- Prescription eye drops: If over-the-counter drops don’t help, your doctor may prescribe medication like cyclosporine (Cequa) to reduce inflammation and increase tear production.
- Warm compresses: Applying a warm compress to your eyes can help relieve discomfort and stimulate tear production. Simply soak a clean cloth in warm water, wring it out and place it over your closed eyes for a few minutes.
- Punctal plugs: In some cases, a doctor may recommend punctal plugs, which are tiny devices inserted into your tear ducts to help keep tears on the surface of your eyes longer.
- Lifestyle changes: Making small changes can improve dry eye symptoms. For example, taking regular breaks when using screens, staying hydrated and avoiding smoke can be beneficial.
- Humidifiers: Using a humidifier in your home can help keep the air moist, which can reduce dryness in your eyes, especially during the winter months when indoor air tends to be drier.
- Omega-3 fatty acids: Adding omega-3 fatty acids to your diet, found in fish or supplements, may help improve tear production and reduce dry eye symptoms.
- Avoiding allergens: If you know specific allergens irritate your eyes, try to avoid them. This can help reduce symptoms of dry eye caused by environmental factors.
- Sunglasses: Wearing sunglasses when you are outside can protect your eyes from wind and bright sunlight, helping to keep them moist.
- Regular eye exams: Regular visits to an eye doctor can help monitor your eye health and determine the best treatment options for your specific needs.
Cequa
Cequa is a prescription eye drop specifically designed to treat dry eye disease, a condition where the eyes don’t produce enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly, leading to discomfort and vision problems. The active ingredient in Cequa is cyclosporine, which works by reducing inflammation in the tear glands, allowing them to produce more tears.
Cequa is unique because it uses a special formula called nanomicellar technology, which helps deliver the medication effectively to the surface of the eye, improving absorption and reducing irritation. It is typically used twice daily and can take several weeks to show significant improvement in dry eye symptoms.
Keeping Up With Eye Care
Recognizing the signs of dry eye is the first step in getting the help you need. If you experience any of these symptoms, consider talking to an eye care professional to find the right treatment for you. With the right care, you can manage dry eye and improve your comfort.
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