If you think you may have dry eye, there are many things you should know about it. There are a lot of symptoms to watch out for, and there are various things that could be causing your dry eyes. You may need treatment for your dry eye from the eye doctor so that your eyes are much more comfortable. You need relief, and you can get it when you go to the optometrist for eye care. If you're in San Antonio, TX, we have an office that is convenient for you. You may need medicated eye drops to help you with your problem.
What Causes Dry Eye?
If you have dry eyes, there could be a multitude of causes behind it. There are many common causes of dry eyes that could be causing your specific case of the condition. Some of the most common causes include having the tear film that sits on the front of the eye dry up too quickly and having that tear film be poorly composed by the body. Both can cause a lot of symptoms that can be painful and frustrating. The tear film can get dried out too fast because the air is very dry or because of a lot of wind hitting your eyes. This often happens when you bike or jog. It can also be caused by a fan or air conditioning vent that moves the air into your eyes.
Getting older is another cause of this condition, as the body may not make enough of this tear film anymore. You may also be taking medication, such as allergy medications, that can cause dry eyes. Some medical conditions, including diabetes, can also cause it to develop. The eye doctor can help you with determining the cause and helping you with prevention.
What Symptoms Should I Watch For?
There are many possible symptoms of dry eye. These, of course, include eyes that feel dry and gritty. You may also have burning or stinging in your eyes, and your eyes might water as they try to compensate for the loss of tear film. Your eyes can become pink or red, and you may have blurred vision. Mucus strings may emerge from your eyes, and you may feel like there is something stuck in your eyes. Prevention is always better than treatment, so it's a good idea to try to prevent these symptoms in the first place if you can.
See Our Optometrist
Call the optometrist for an appointment when you need eye care treatment for your dry eye symptoms. To get relief from your symptoms, you may need prescription eye drops from the eye doctor. If you are in San Antonio, TX, give us a call today at (210) 520-6353 to get your eye exam.