Eye Doctor Edmonton | Why Are Dry Eyes Common in Alberta?

Eye Doctor Edmonton | Why Are Dry Eyes Common in Alberta?

Dry eyes are extremely common in Alberta according to eye doctor Edmonton. And according to the Alberta optometry Association, 90% of the adults living in this province. Will experience symptoms of dry eye in their lifetime.

However, many people may not realize that they are suffering from dry eye syndrome. Simply because the symptoms are less obvious than they think.

Some of the symptoms are very obvious such as red, itchy and burning eyes. With people feeling like they have a foreign body in their eye, or feeling like their eyelids are made of sandpaper.

However, eye doctor Edmonton says some of the symptoms are much less obvious. Such as fluctuating, blurred or double vision.

That is caused when light hits the eye, and bounces off the rough surface of the eye. Because it does not have enough lubrication to make the surface of the eye smooth.

Other symptoms that may not be obvious, are when people are experiencing excessive tearing in their eyes. They often go to their eye doctor Edmonton complaining that their eyes will not stop tearing.

And are confused when they are prescribed lubricating eyedrops. However, the reason why people with excessively teary eyes are suffering from dry eye syndrome. Is because they are not producing a good enough quality of tears to lubricate their eyes.

Therefore, as a reflex, their body starts flooding the area with tears. In order to address the symptoms that they are experiencing.

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Unfortunately this does not work, because the tears that they flood the area with. Still do not have enough lubricating oil to lubricate their eyes. So their body continues to send tears that continue to do nothing.

There is ultimately too different causes of dry eye syndrome. Either person is not producing enough tears. Or they are not producing a good enough quality of tears to lubricate their eye.

When people are not producing enough tears, there could be a number of different factors. But the most common factors are. That a person has blocked tear ducts. Or they are dehydrated.

Another reason is that they are not producing a good enough quality of tears. Because in order to lubricate the eyes.

They need to have something in the tears that holds the tears to the surface of their eye so that it can lubricated without draining off the eye quickly.

Or they need something in their tears that keeps the tears from evaporating quickly. So that their eyes can remain lubricated at all times.

This oil is produced by the body, and comes out of tier producing glands. But if they are not getting the right diet, or if they have atrophy or hyper trophy, it can cause the tear ducts to either be blocked or stop working properly.

Also, people can experience dry eye syndrome, if they have done something that causes chronic inflammation to the surface of the eyes. Such as getting eyelash extensions or getting tattooed eyeliner, which can actually damage tear ducts and oil glands.

By understanding what the symptoms of dry eye syndrome are. Can help people who are experiencing these symptoms get the help they need to see clearly and comfortably at all times.

Eye Doctor Edmonton | Why Are Dry Eyes Common in Alberta?

While one of the most common factors in dry eye syndrome according to eye doctor Edmonton is a dry climate. There are a lot of other reasons why people could be experiencing this common affliction.

Anything that causes the body to not produce enough tears. Or having the tears evaporate off the front surface of the eyes. Can lead to dry eye syndrome.

And while many people are experiencing these problems. They may not realize that there is something that they can do to help avoid these symptoms.

If they have a regular appointment with eye doctor Edmonton. During their regular, routine eye exam. Their optometrist will be able to use several diagnostic tests in order to diagnose dry eye syndrome.

From taking a family history and testing the modality of the tears to see if the tears are normal.

As well as being able to measure the tear production as well as tear evaporation rate. And look at the tears underneath the microscope.

There optometrist will be able to look at the cells of their cornea. And physically checking the tear producing ducts and oil producing glands.

In some severe cases, there may be atrophy of these glands, or hyper trophy which is swelling that causes tear ducts to be blocked. In this case, they may not have tears coming to their eyes.

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Even though their body has the ability to make tears properly. Therefore, depending on the reason why they are experiencing dry eye syndrome. Their eye doctor Edmonton will be able to prescribe the right treatment.

In treating dry eye syndrome, the first thing that patients will be expected to do is change their environment and some lifestyle habits. In order to minimize symptoms.

The reason why, is because symptoms can often be significantly improved or eliminated by doing this. And the second reason is that even after getting a prescription medication to address the symptoms associated with dry eye syndrome.

If a patient still has an environment that is terrible for the symptoms associated with dry eye syndrome. The medication may not be able to do its job properly.

If they do get medication, the medication they get will depend on how bad their symptoms are. But also the reason why they are experiencing dry eye syndrome in the first place.

There are many different eyedrops available. From ones that have different amounts of lubrication in them. To eyedrops that have anti-inflammatory properties, and eyedrops that can contain medication.

That is designed to help a body produce the correct tears as well. By taking these medications, many people can have significantly improved symptoms of dry eye syndrome.

However, patients need to realize that dry eye syndrome is a chronic condition. And while symptoms can be helped. There is no indefinite cure for this syndrome. Therefore, maintenance is going to be an ongoing and lifetime requirements.