Q. Is it true that Dry Eye symptoms seem to be more severe in the winter than in the warmer
spring and summer months?
A. Yes, because winter is colder and has less humidity.
Q. When should a person come in to see their optometrist for Dry Eye symptoms and when is
it enough to take care of this problem yourself?
A. It’s important for anyone suffering from itchines, burning, and foreign body sensation in the eyes to have an eye exam.
Q. What is the examination like to determine whether someone is suffering from Dry Eyes?
A. The doctor will put eye drops into the eyes to see how quickly your tears evaporate. The doctor will also evaluate your eyelid margins for any overgrowth of bacteria or mites that may grow on your eyelashes.
Q. I have a friend in whose eyes are frequently overly watery. That isn’t Dry Eye, is it?
A. Yes this may be a sign of dry eye.
Q. What are the typical treatments used to help people suffering from Dry Eyes?
A. Maintaining the natural flora of the eyelid, and removing the inflammatory causes of dry eye.
Q. Are some people more prone to having Dry Eyes than others?
A. Yes, patients on certain medications and those with rosacea or autoimmune diseases such as Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis are more prone to having dry eyes.
Q. Do you have any recommendations for people to help them avoid Dry Eye issues?
A. The most important thing is to discover the cause of the dry eyes and address it with your doctor.
Q. I find contact lenses uncomfortable, are there recommended contact lenses for Dry Eye
Sufferers?
A. Yes, there is one soft contact lens brand that is approved for dry eyes. There are also large rigid contact lenses that can be used for very severe dry eyes.
Q. I work on the computer and get lots of dry eye symptoms like watery eyes, sore and painful
eyes etc. Is there something that I should do to prevent this?
A. Like I said before, the most important thing is to discover the cause of the dry eyes and address it with your doctor.