Dry Eyes

Medications that may cause dry eyes include:

• Appetite suppressants.
• Birth control pills.
• Hormone replacement.  Women who are on hormone replacement therapy may experience dry eye symptoms. Women taking only estrogen are 70 percent more likely to experience dry eye, whereas those taking estrogen and progesterone have a 30 percent increased risk of developing dry eye.
• Blood pressure medications.
• Medications for acne, such as Accutane can cause the feeling of dust in the eye, burning eyes, redness, short-term vision distortions, and night blindness.

1. Avoid air blowing in their eyes. For example, Wohl Optics advises patients to  avoid the use of hair dryers and to not sit directly under air conditioning or fans; use an air humidifier. This will help to moisten the air, which can help to reduce the risk of eyes drying out.
2. Consider wearing wrap-around sunglasses or other protective eyewear. Safety shields can be added to the tops and sides of eyeglasses to block wind and dry air.
3. Take regular breaks during long tasks that require visual concentration. This can include looking away from the computer screen, for example, or remembering to blink regularly.
4. If you use a computer, position it correctly. You should be looking down at the computer screen, so that you do not have to open your eyes as wide. This will help to prevent evaporation between blinks.
5. If you are a computer user, remember to blink. When you work at the computer, your blink rate decreases sharply.  Researchers have discovered that equally important with blinking is blinking completely. Making sure that when you blink you close the eyelids completely makes a large difference in reducing the symptoms of dry eye and computer eye syndrome.
6. If you smoke, stop smoking and avoid smoky environments. Smoke can trigger symptoms of dry eye disease, and can cause or exacerbate other health problems. Many pharmacies offer a smoking cessation service to support patients.
7. This is not one that my women patients like at all but, if your dry eye symptoms are severe, please avoid eye make-up, particularly eyeliner or mascara. These products can block meibomian glands and cause inflammation around the eyes, exacerbating symptoms.
8. We suggest that you increase the amount of omega-3 in the your diet, or omega-3 supplements. There is evidence to suggest that omega-3 can be helpful in preventing symptoms of dry eye. Omega-3 is present in fish and fish oils, canola oil, flaxseeds and walnuts. Several formulations of omega-3 supplement, specifically for dry eye, are also now commercially available. The supplements may be particularly useful for patients with blepharitis or patients who have dry eye caused by contact lens wear.
9. We recommend over-the-counter treatment if appropriate. There are many different types of over-the-counter treatments available in a variety of different formulations.  Avoid preservatives in the formulation.  Warning - Artificial tears that say they will "get the red out" will reduce circulation of blood in your eye and decrease production of tear film, actually making your eyes still drier.  If you have dry eyes, artificial tears are usually recommended which provide short-term relief, but only hide the symptoms without improving the condition. In fact, preservatives in such formulations can actually worsen your dry eye condition. The only way to make sure you are using preservative free formulations is to use individual ampules.  Even though many artificial tears say they are preservative free, they really are not.
10. To prevent dry eyes, protect your eyes from the environment, lubricate your eyes, apply warm compress, or call us for an optometrist eye exam.

Inflammation of the surface of your eye may occur along with dry eye. If left untreated, this condition can lead to pain, ulcers, or scars on the cornea, and some loss of vision.

Wohl Optics has patients with plugs in the drainage holes, small circular openings at the inner corners of the eyelids where tears drain from the eye into the nose. Lacrimal plugs, also called punctal plugs, can be inserted painlessly by your eye care professional. You usually do not feel them. These plugs are made of silicone or collagen, are reversible, and are a temporary measure. In severe cases, permanent plugs may be considered.