|
Page links
Eye Allergies | Summer UV Protection for the Eyes
Dry Eye Syndrome
Some people do not produce enough tears or the appropriate quality of tears to keep the eye healthy and comfortable. This is known as dry eye.
Tears are produced by two different methods. Tears can be formed at a slow steady rate and are responsible for normal eye lubrication. Large quantities of tears can also be produced in response to eye irritation or emotions.
Tears that lubricate are constantly produced by a healthy eye. Excessive tearing occurs when the eye is irritated by a foreign body, dryness or when a person cries.
What Are Dry Eye Symptoms?
The usual symptoms include:
- Stinging or burning eyes
- Scratchiness
- Gritty sensation
- Itching
- Light Sensitivity
- Stringy mucus in or around the eyes
- Difficulty wearing contact lenses
- Excessive eye irritation from smoke or wind
- Tearing
Excessive tearing from Dry Eye sounds illogical, but if the tears responsible for maintaining lubrication do not keep the eye wet enough, the eye becomes irritated. When the eye is irritated, the lacrimal gland produces a large volume of tears that overwhelm the tear drainage system. These excessive tears then overflow from your eye.
What Causes Dry Eye?
Tear production normally decreases as we age. Although dry eye can occur in both men and women at any age, women are most often affected. This is especially true after menopause.
A wide variety of common medica-tions can cause dry eye by reducing tear secretion. Be sure to tell our doctor the names of all the medications you are taking, especially if you are using diuretics, beta-blockers, antihistamines, sleeping pills, medications for “nerves” or pain relievers.
How Are Dry Eyes Treated?
Artificial Tears - Since many of the medications that can cause dry eyes are necessary, the use of “artificial tears” may be recommended. These eye drops are similar to your own tears. They lubricate the eyes and help maintain moisture.
Punctal Plugs - Conserving your eyes’ own tears is another approach to keeping the eyes moist. Tears drain out of the eye through a small channel into the nose.
Your doctor may close these channels with punctal plugs. The closure conserves your own tears and makes artificial tears last longer.
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, call our office for an appointment. After a through exam-ination, our doctors will be able to determine the proper course of treatment to control this condition.
Eye Allergies
The eyes are one of the most sensitive and vulnerable organs of the body. Airborne allergens and other particles can land directly on the surface of the eye, causing irritation and redness. Although tears constantly wash the eyes, they can’t always keep out allergens like pollen or pet dander. Because of this ocular allergies are common.
What Are Ocular Allergies?
Eye allergies are no different than those that affect your sinuses, nose or lungs. When an allergen comes in contact with your eyes, your body releases histamine, a chemical produced in reaction to a substance that the immune system can’t tolerate. Special cells called mast cells make histamine. These cells are persent throughout the body but are highly concentrated in the eyes.
Ocular allergies tend to be airborne. The most frequent allergic trigger are pollen, pet hair or dander, dust and some medications.
Other triggers that irritate the eyes but are not true allergies are cigarette smoke, perfume and diesel exhaust.
Treatment
If you have ocular allergies or any kind of allergic disease, the most effective treatment is prevention. Try to avoid the allergens that trigger symptoms. This is not always an easy task, especially if your triggers are airborne, such as pollen.
When ocular allergies can’t be controlled, there are several medications that may help to relieve symptoms. Most of these treatments are topical, such as eye drops or ointment.
Allergic Conjunctivitis and conjunctivitis caused by an infection can be hard to distinguish. They both manifest themselves by an inflammation of the conjunctiva (the membrane lining under the eyelids). Both have similar symptoms, such as redness, itching and swelling in the eye area. However, when conjunctivitis is caused by allergies, both eyes are usually affected. Viral or Bacterial Conjunctivitis, also known as “pink eye”, can affect either a single eye or both eyes.
Common symptoms of Allergic Conjunctivitis are:
- Redness and itching under the eyelid
- Excessive watering
- Swelling of the eyeball
Common symptoms of conjunctivitis associated with infection are:
- Feeling that eyelids are “glued” shut upon waking
- Sensitivity to light
- Pus on the surface of the eye
- Burning sensation
It is important to determine whether someone has conjunctivitis because of allergies or infection since each treatment is different. Because of this reason, it is necessary to schedule an appointment with your doctor so that he can accurately diagnosis your condi-tion and prescribe the proper course of action to ensure your ocular health.
Summer UV Protection for the Eyes
The hot, sultry days of summer are upon us and for those of you who have lived in our southern region, you know what that means. Sometimes, it feels as though we are inside a sauna when we are outdoors! Most individuals know to drink plenty of water, and to protect their skin from those harmful UV rays by wearing sunscreen or a hat during the hottest part of the day. But, did you know that your eyes also need protection?
Eyecare Associates wants you to have a wonderful time this summer, whether you’re out on the lake, strolling through the park or jogging on the levee. Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation not only damages your skin, it can also damage the eye permanently. Sun exposure, especially if combined with glare of pavement, can cause the equivalent of a temporary burn to the surface of the eye. Doctors are also concerned that repeated UV exposure can cause permanent damage to either the lens of the eye or can lead to certain eye diseases. Ultraviolet radiation is believed to be a risk factor in the development of both cataracts and macular degeneration.
What can you do to protect your eyes this summer? The best thing is to invest in a good pair of UV blocking sunglasses and wear them whenever you are outdoors. When buying sunglasses, it is important to look for a lens that blocks at least 98 percent of UV radiation, both UV-A and UV-B.
The Looking Glass offers a wide variety of styles and options to meet your eye care needs, whether you need prescription glasses, prefer transition lenses, or just want to protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays. The knowledgable staff at The Looking Glass will be able to assist you and your family in safely enjoying the sun and help you ensure strong, healthy eyes now and in the future. So, grab your shades and have a great summer!
|
