Are you a senior in Cedar Rapids struggling with dry eye? You're not alone: as we get older, our eyes tend to produce fewer tears, which often leads to dry eyes.
Does dry eye cause pain? In some cases, yes, depending on how much lubrication there is on the eye's surface. Even if there's no pain, however, dry eye is a serious medical condition that often requires professional treatment.
Want to know more about dry eye syndrome? Read on to learn how this condition can affect your eyes and how to treat it properly in Cedar Rapids!
Though it doesn't always cause pain, dry eye can lead to many other vision and discomfort issues. This is particularly common in adults over age 50.
First things first: what is dry eye? This is a condition that affects your tear film, which covers and protects the surface of the eye. You need a stable and smooth tear film to see clearly and comfortably, and any disruptions to it can cause:
Many factors can prevent your tear firm from working as it should. If you think you have dry eye, the first thing you should do is see an optometrist. They'll be able to tell you more about your specific condition.
Dry eye disease comes in a few different forms. These include:
Dry eye can involve many symptoms and risk factors, so the underlying issue is often hard to identify. Here's a short overview of these factors.
The most common symptom of dry eye is when you feel that there's something in your eye that won't come out. This is often accompanied by:
Dry eye may even involve your eyes producing excess tears! This happens when your meibomian glands aren't making enough oil. The lacrimal glands will try to compensate by producing extra water, but this won't resolve the issue.
As mentioned, seniors are more likely to develop dry eyes. Though you can't control your age, there are other risk factors that you may be able to manage.
For instance, your lifestyle and environment can play a key role in developing dry eye. The more time you spend looking at screens, the more your odds of dry eye will increase. Other common risk factors include:
Eye care for aging adults can be tricky. Beyond the lacrimal glands producing fewer tears, there are a few other ways aging impacts dry eye.
First, seniors on average take more medication than younger adults. Some of these medications have dry eye syndrome as a possible side effect, which is indicated on their labels. This includes medications used for treating:
In older adults, meibomian glands are more likely to atrophy or become blocked. These glands also have ducts that can thicken with age, further impacting their oil flow and disrupting your ability to keep your eyes moist.
For women over 50, dry eye can also appear as a symptom of menopause.
Dry eye doesn't have a cure, but the right treatment makes it easier to manage. To find the right treatment, however, you need to consider your symptoms.
If you haven't done so already, your first step should be to visit an optometrist. They may ask you to fill out a questionnaire, including information such as:
Your doctor will then guide you through an eye exam to determine what's causing your symptoms. They'll also check for signs of dry eye syndrome and assess the quality of your eyes in general.
These days, there's no one test for diagnosing dry eye. Instead, your optometrist may use one of the following tests:
Getting the right dry eye relief depends on the severity of your symptoms and your underlying conditions. Finding the right treatment may require experimenting.
Professional dry eye treatment usually includes some form of eye drops. They soothe and lubricate your eyes, temporarily relieving most symptoms. Eye drops come in many types, and they're available over the counter.
Other Cedar Rapids health tips for treating dry eye include:
If your symptoms are mild, your health provider may suggest home remedies. This is particularly common if your dry eye isn't caused by other conditions.
One thing that may help is using a humidifier in your bedroom. In locations like Cedar Rapids, using heat during the winter may cause low humidity levels in your home. A humidifier can help correct the situation.
Learning a few new habits can also be very helpful. Simply taking frequent breaks when reading can give your eyes much-needed rest. You can also adjust your diet to include more omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce eye dryness.
So, does dry eye cause pain? It can, particularly in seniors. If you notice this issue, you should schedule an appointment with your health provider right away.
At Prairie Hills at Cedar Rapids, we can help you manage dry eye and any other health conditions you have. In our assisted living community, we offer personalized assistance that provides our residents with all the support they need to thrive!
Want to learn more about our services, amenities, or the neighborhood? Contact us here to schedule a tour or ask about our community!