If you suffer from dry eye syndrome, you may be unsure of how best to treat the condition. For some people, dry eye syndrome can be a persistent condition that causes redness, itching and discomfort around the eye. Other dry eye symptoms can be more annoying, such as itching and discomfort in the eye itself. Dry eye syndrome is not harmful but can be very uncomfortable for those suffering. For most individuals with mild or occasional dry eye symptoms, it is sufficient to regularly utilize over-the-counter moistened eye drops (artificial tears) every day.
However, if your dry eye symptoms are more severe and recurring, you do have other choices. For many individuals, dry eyes may be the early warning signs of a more serious eye problem, such as chronic inflammation or an eye infection. For this reason, it is often important to address dry eye syndrome promptly, before it progresses into more serious conditions. For example, in some cases, if the dryness in the eyes is caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotics may be prescribed to treat the infection and reduce the dryness of the eyes. In other cases, the dryness may be caused by other factors such as sleep apnea, which is a chronic respiratory condition that can also cause dry eyes.
Other common dry eye symptoms include itching, burning and stinging. These symptoms are often experienced by individuals who are experiencing post-nasal drip, which is excess mucus discharge from the nasal passages that drain into the eye. This condition can cause the eyes to water excessively and feel sore. As the condition worsens, the individual may experience a stinging sensation as the mucus builds up and the eyes become irritated.
There are a variety of treatments available for dry eye symptoms including medication and surgery. In most cases, the treatment recommended by an ophthalmologist will involve topical medications to relieve the symptoms. These medications contain steroids or various other chemicals that are designed to reduce inflammation. However, if the dry eye symptoms are due to sinus infection or other respiratory illness, a different type of medication may be prescribed to treat the underlying condition. The medications, however, should be taken only under the supervision of a qualified health care provider.
For individuals experiencing dry eye symptoms due to colds or flu, antiviral medications that can be purchased over the counter may help alleviate the symptoms. Some of these medications contain chemicals called Amylase, which helps to break down the bacteria that causes dry eyes. While the medication is not a permanent cure, relief from dry eye symptoms usually lasts about one or two weeks.
In addition to using over the counter medications, xiidra is also available to help relieve dry eye symptoms. In the two weeks that xiidra has been on the market, there have been no reported adverse side effects or any reports of its causing excessive dryness. In addition to treating the symptoms of dry eye, xiidra is also believed to correct eye alignment and improve vision. By using both xiidra and prescription glaucoma treatment, about 40 percent of those who use the product will experience improvement in their eyesight. However, two weeks is still a relatively short period of time, so many people must still continue to wear reading glasses.