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WHAT IS DRY EYE?
Some people do not produce enough tears or the appropriate quality of tears to keep the eye healthy and comfortable. This is known as dry eye.
Tears are produced by two different methods. One method produces tears at a slow, steady rate and is responsible for normal eye lubrication. The other method produces large quantities of tears in response to eye irritation or emotions.
Tears that lubricate are constantly replaced by a healthy eye. Excessive tearing occurs when the eye is irritated by a foreign body, dryness or when a person cries.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DRY EYE?
The usual symptoms include:
Stinging or burning eyes
Scratchiness
Stringy mucus in or around the eyes
Excessive eye irritation from smoke or wind
Excess tearing
Difficulty wearing contact lenses
Excess tearing from dry eye sounds illogical, but if the tears responsible for maintenance lubrication do not keep the eye wet enough, the eye becomes irritated. When the eye is irritated, the lacrimal gland produces a large volume of tears that overwhelm the tear drainage system. These excess tears then overflow from your eye.
HOW DOES SOMEONE GET BLEPHARITIS?
Most of the time it is hereditary and it is also commonly associated with skin conditions such as seborrhea, rosacea, dandruff, and others. It is typically present for many years before it is diagnosed. The inflammation that occurs around the eyelid margins clogs the oil glands that are vital in producing a long lasting high quality tear film. It is the poor quality and quantity of tear film that is responsible for the aforementioned symptoms.
HOW DO YOU TREAT BLEPHARITIS?
There is no known cure for Blepharitis but you can stabilize the condition enough where symptoms can be significantly reduced. With continuous treatment you may have more comfortable and healthier looking eyes. You need to know that all treatment must be maintained throughout life otherwise thje condition and symptoms will return.
Here is what you need to do during the day:
1.Preservative free tears should be used on an as needed basis and can be used as often as you want. A colder refrigerated tear drop will feel better when dropped into your eyes. The relief that tears provide only last a few minutes at mos. Find the brand of preservative free tears that works the best for you.
Here is what you need to do at night just before bedtime:
1.Warm compresses (gel pads, cotton face cloths) for five minutes over both closed eyes every night. This allows for your pores to open and debris to loosen from your skin.
2.Gently massage your eyelid margins for one minute. This may release or unplug debris from the oil glands that line your eyelid margins.
3.With a moistened Q-tip, clean cotton face cloth, or lint free eyelid scrub gently scrub the eyelash margin and the ledge just above the eyelash line on the lower lid and just below the eyelash line on the upper lids. Do not touch the eye or the inner part of the eyelid. After you comfortable doing this for a few weeks add some Johnsons baby shampoo to a warm water filled cup and use this for the eyelid scrub. If you feel the sting from the shampoo then you incorrectly scrubbed inside your eye.
4.Miscellaneous: A humidifier or eye mask while sleeping may be very helpful. Sometimes in severe cases or flare-ups I would suggest a combination steroid/antibiotic cream at night inside your eyes for 1-2 weeks. Restasis drops twice a day are helpful in inflammatory induced dye eye conditions. Make up and skin product recommendations are available upon request. Vitamins containing vitamin E, omega 3 fatty acids, and flaxseed oils that are helpful for dry eyes are also available upon request. Punctal Plugs give great relief when your eyes are dry and your Blepharitis has been controlled.
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