Dealing with dry eyes can be uncomfortable, and when they appear, you want nothing more than to find some relief. Many people opt to deal with the irritation and hope it goes away on its own. Your optometrist can help and advise you on various treatment methods.
One of the treatment methods your optometrist may recommend is Restasis eye drops—let’s explore dry eye disease, including how Restasis can help.
What Is Dry Eye?
Dry eye disease is a common condition that occurs when your tears cannot provide adequate lubrication for your eyes. This tear instability leads to inflammation and damage to the eye’s surface.
Some signs and symptoms of dry eye disease include:
- Stinging, burning or scratchy feeling in your eyes
- Stringy mucus in or around your eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- Eye redness
- Difficulty wearing contact lenses
- Blurred vision or eye fatigue
Your tear film consists of 3 layers: fatty oils, aqueous fluid, and mucus. This combination keeps your eyes lubricated, and any interruption to these layers can lead to dry eyes. Even while sleeping, this disruption can occur.
When oil is missing from your tears, they evaporate quickly, and your eyes cannot maintain a steady moisture flow.
Some other causes of dry eye disease include:
- Exposure to wind or dry air
- Allergies
- Aging
- Long-term contacts wear
- Staring at a computer for long hours
- Not blinking enough
Making sure your eyes see a constant stream of lubrication is crucial to avoid the irritation of dry eyes.
Although dry eye disease is uncomfortable, it rarely causes permanent vision damage. But who wants to be uncomfortable?
Let’s look at some dry eye treatment options, including how Restasis can help.
Dry Eye Treatment & Restasis
Dry eye disease can have a different effect on everyone—the first thing you’ll want is relief and efficient treatment options.
That’s where Restasis eye drops come in to assist you in creating high-quality tears. Restasis eye drops are prescription eye drops that differ from artificial tears. Unlike artificial tears, Restasis tackles the underlying cause of chronic dry eye by reducing inflammation and increasing your eyes’ ability to produce tears.
Restasis isn’t just a simple, quick fix to lubricate your eyes for a short period—instead, it works to provide a long-term treatment method for dry eyes.
Artificial tears are still helpful for temporary relief, but with consistent use of Restasis eye drops, you may be able to gradually rely less on artificial tears.
Restasis is an excellent option, but you must consult with your optometrist before usage.
Other Treatment Options & Prevention Methods
Another treatment option to consider for dry eye disease is Blephex.
Blephex is an in-office treatment that focuses on removing the accumulated biofilm around your eyelids. Removing this build-up can help the eye produce a greater number of natural and high-quality tears.
The Blephex treatment usually takes around 6 to 8 minutes, and you’ll be done before you know it.
Some prevention methods for dry eye disease include:
- Avoid air blowing in your eyes
- Adding a humidifier in frequently used rooms
- Wear sunglasses or other protective eyewear
- Take frequent breaks from digital screens
- Stop smoking
Many people can opt to ignore their dry eyes and hope they run their course on their own.
However, if your symptoms continue to get worse and treatments are not effective, contact your optometrist to discuss the next steps as soon as possible.
Getting Over Dry Eye Disease
Dry eye disease can come and go depending on your habits and environment. The good news is that effective treatment methods, including Restasis, are available to you, and your optometrist can assist you in finding the suitable treatment method for you.
Book an appointment with your optometrist today to treat your dry eye and see if Restasis is the treatment option for you.
