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| What are the symptoms of dry eyes?
Gritty, sandy sensation, burning, stinging and itching are all indicators of dry eyes. Some people notice their eyes sticking shut when they wake up.
Sometimes a dry eye can actually seem watery. The eye can be producing poor quality, reflex tears which don't do the job of keeping the eye lubricated.
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| To the right is a dry eye as seen in the slit lamp microscope. The yellow spots show where the fluorescein dye pools in the breaks, or dry areas of the eye's natural tear film. |
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What can be done for dry eyes?
The first line of treatment is usually artificial tears. There are several excellent brands on the market. One person may like one type better, while another may find a different brand works better. Ask your eye care practitioner to make some recommendations.
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| What if the drops don't work?
Dr. Johnstone or Dr. Smit can place tiny collagen or silicone plugs in the drainage canals of your eyelids. These plugs prevent the tears from draining down and out of your eyes.
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| An illustration of the plugs that can be inserted in your eyelids. The procedure is painless and takes just a few minutes. |
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| Collagen plugs last about five days. Generally, they are a good first step. If the patient notices improvement for a few days, then the symptoms return, permanant silicone plugs can be inserted. While these plugs are removable if necessary, they do not dissolve on their own and don't require replacing. |
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| Who gets dry eyes?
Virtually anyone is prone to dry eyes, although women get the condition more than men, and older people more often than younger people.
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| What causes dry eyes?
Various systemic diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, can cause dry eyes, as can environment, some prescription and over the counter medications, and wearing contact lenses.
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| What kind of medications?
Antihistamines, such as Benedryl, anti-depressants, and some blood pressure medications can contribute to dry eye problems.
Oral contraceptives are another common culprit, as are alcohol and marijuana.
There are countless other over-the-counter and prescriptions; ask your eye care practitioner about specific ones.
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| Can I still wear contact lenses if I have dry eyes?
Yes. There are contact lenses specifically designed for dry eyes. You also want to use rewetting drops frequently, and even more so when reading or using the computer.
It is also extremely important to follow the proper wearing schedule for your contact lenses.
Make sure you use rewetting drops before removing your contact lenses. You can easily give yourself a painful corneal abrasion trying to remove a contact lens from a dry eye.
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