Dry eyes can seem like a harmless problem, but anyone suffering from dry eyes would testify to the irritation and overall discomfort that can result from this condition. Dry eye is a condition in which your eyes do not produce enough tears to keep the eye moist. People who have dry eyes often report symptoms of intense or prolonged irritation, redness, burning sensations, excessive tearing, and even occasional or temporary blurry vision. These symptoms can interfere with a person’s life and ability to accurately perform normal daily tasks such as driving, reading, and more.
Dry Eye
Because dry eye is a condition that has numerous underlying causes, in order to effectively treat dry eye, a patient must have a qualified ophthalmologist assess both their current physical status, as well as their extensive patient health history in order to determine risk factors and create an appropriate treatment plan. This can be especially crucial when dealing with patients who are on certain medications that can contribute to dry eye including diuretics and antihistamines, patients who frequently rely on contact lenses, patients who have recently had or are recovering from LASIK surgery, and even patients who regularly use two or more types of eye drops for other optical conditions like glaucoma. Other factors like thyroid dysfunctions, menopause, and working environments that require patients to stare at a screen for an extended period of time can also contribute to dry eye.
Once an ophthalmologist has confirmed your dry eye condition, further evaluations and tests can validate the underlying cause so that a treatment method can be chosen and utilized. One of the most common and effective treatments for dry eyes is the use of punctal plugs. Punctal plugs work by actively preserving a patient’s natural tears to enable greater moisture and lubrication. Punctal plugs are small temporary or permanent guards that are painlessly inserted into the tear duct to block moisture from flowing into the tear drainage ducts, allowing natural tears to remain in the eye. When utilized with other dry eye treatments, punctal plugs can effectively restore and maintain optimal moisture content in the eye and eliminate many of the common symptoms that can prevent patients from living their best lives.
Punctal Plugs for Dry Eye Syndrome
If you notice that you have been experiencing one or all of the common symptoms of dry eyes, contact a reputable eye care specialist, like those at Alpine Eye Care, as soon as possible to confirm your diagnosis and get started on an effective treatment plan.
If you’re looking for anything from an eye exam to a surgical procedure anywhere in Northern Michigan, schedule an appointment with Alpine Eye Care by calling us directly at 1.877.733.2020 today to learn more about our practice, read patient testimonials, and receive excellent care.