Are you dealing with dry, scratchy eyes, blurry vision, or an uncomfortable feeling like something’s stuck in your eye that won’t come out? If so, you might suffer from dry eye, a common condition that can make it difficult to perform everyday tasks. Dry eye can either be a temporary annoyance or a chronic issue, depending on the underlying cause. Keep reading to learn about the key differences and remedies for lasting relief!
Temporary dry eye
Temporary dry eye is usually caused by environmental factors like windy and dusty conditions, exposure to air conditioning or indoor heating, or staring at screens for too long. Some medications can also cause temporary dry eye as a side effect. People with temporary dry eye may have symptoms for a few days or weeks, but they typically go away once you address the underlying cause.
Chronic dry eye
If your eyes constantly feel dry, gritty, or irritated no matter what you do, you might have chronic dry eye. Unlike temporary dry eye, chronic dry eye doesn’t just go away on its own. It’s often linked to underlying health conditions such as autoimmune diseases, hormonal changes, or issues with tear production.
Chronic dry eye can make your eyes feel tired, cause light sensitivity, affect your vision, and make it harder to wear contact lenses. Since it’s an ongoing condition, it typically requires professional care, such as prescription eye drops, special treatments, or changes to your daily routine. If you experience severe or chronic dry eye symptoms, it’s important to see an eye doctor to determine the underlying cause and get proper treatment.
Finding relief from dry eye
No matter what type of dry eye you have, relief is possible! Using artificial tears, blinking more often, taking breaks from screens, and avoiding overly dry or windy environments can help with mild cases. But if your symptoms persist or worsen, it’s best to see an eye doctor who can determine the cause and recommend the right treatment.
At Family Eye Care, our dry eye specialists in Bristol, CT offer cutting-edge treatments to help patients find lasting relief from chronic dry eye. If over-the-counter drops and home remedies aren’t helping, we provide more advanced treatment options, including:
- ZEST (Zocular Eyelid System Treatment): A gentle, deep-cleaning procedure that removes debris and bacteria from the eyelids to improve tear quality and eye comfort.
- Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy: This non-invasive treatment reduces inflammation in the oil glands of your eyelids, helping to restore a healthy tear film.
- Radiofrequency (RF) treatment: Using gentle heat, RF therapy unclogs oil glands and stimulates collagen production, improving tear stability and relieving dry eye symptoms.
If dry eye is interfering with your daily life, schedule an appointment at Family Eye Care today to learn more about our advanced treatments and personalized care options.