When elderly people do not seek early treatment for their ocular surface disease condition, this worsens their dry eye condition. Because dry eye disease mostly affects the elderly, some members of this population may feel that there is no urgency for them to seek treatment for this malady. This is a wrong assumption that needs to be reversed. Dry eye disease should be given as much urgency as glaucoma disease. It begins mildly with minimal symptoms, but greater symptoms will develop later on. Seek medical care for dry eye disease.
Things You Should Know
Dry eye condition deteriorates with additional advanced visual symptoms such as irreversible atrophy of your tear production glands. When the tears in your eyes are compromised, the quality of remaining tears cannot efficiently lubricate your eyes and bathe the cornea. That results in symptomatic irritation, burning and itchy eyes. If you don't treat these latter symptoms, ulcers or scars will appear on the cornea.
Excessive Tearing And Other Symptoms
One of the odd circumstances you might experience is episodal instances wherein you develop excess tearing. This occurs following periods of eye dryness. You could also feel as though your eyelids are heavy. You can also develop blurry vision at this stage of the disease. It's not uncommon for you to notice a discharge oozing from your eye now in addition to pain and redness of your eyes. Medical care is definitely indicated at this juncture.
Do Not Avoid Medical Care
If you are experiencing dry eye symptoms, do not ignore the condition. Consult with your ophthalmologist who will determine the cause. Cause of your dry eye symptoms guides your physician in developing a correct treatment strategy. It could be that medications you currently take are responsible for your dry eye problem. Discontinuing the identified medication may ease your dry eye symptoms. You can also benefit from over-the-counter topical medications if your symptoms are mild. There are other medicinal treatments that can benefit you, and your physician can prescribe such medications.
FDA-Approved Medications
There are two known prescriptions for treating dry eye disease that are approved by the FDA. Ask your physician about them. You could also benefit from the use of corticosteroid eye drops. Those drops reduce eye inflammation. Discuss this type of treatment with your physician though, because it is a short-term prescription medicine. It is also important to make environmental changes that benefit your eyes in a technology-driven society.
Manage Lifestyle Changes And Protecting Your Eyes
Take periodic breaks as you use computer screen technology. Constant staring at a computer screen ruins your eye-blinking ability. Exercise your eyes by repeatedly blinking them for a few seconds while using your computer throughout the day. That simple act will replenish your basal tears and spread them across your eye in an even pattern. Use sunglasses that protect your eyes from dry air.
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