Have you ever experienced dryness, itching, or redness in your eyes? If so, you might be one of the many people suffering from dry eye. This uncomfortable condition occurs when your eyes fail to produce enough tears or have poor-quality tears that evaporate too quickly.
If you have dry eye, you may be wondering if it ever goes away. Dry eye can be a temporary or chronic condition, depending on the underlying cause. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the causes of dry eye as well as treatments that can help ease your discomfort.
Temporary dry eye
Temporary dry eye is usually caused by external factors like environmental conditions, spending too much time in front of screens, or wearing contact lenses for too long. In these cases, you can relieve symptoms by taking regular breaks from screens, using artificial tears, or making lifestyle changes.
In most cases, temporary dry eye will go away on its own once you address the underlying cause. For example, if you have dry eyes because of air conditioning or exposure to wind or sun, addressing the root cause could potentially alleviate your symptoms. Or if you’re taking a medication that causes dry eye as a side effect, switching to a different one could be beneficial.
Chronic dry eye
Chronic dry eye, on the other hand, is a long-term condition that requires ongoing care and treatment. It can be caused by a variety of factors such as age, hormonal changes, or underlying health conditions. If someone has chronic dry eye, it’s unlikely to go away by itself. But with the right treatment and care, the symptoms can get better, and sometimes the condition can be well-managed to prevent it from getting worse.
Treatment options for dry eye
Luckily, there are many ways to relieve dry eye symptoms and protect your eye health. At Hayden Optometric, we offer a range of treatments to help you manage dry eye and improve your quality of life. Our experienced eye doctor Dr. Joel Hayden can diagnose the root cause of your dry eye and recommend the best treatment, such as artificial tears, prescription eye drops, medication, tear duct plugs, or lifestyle changes.
Dry eye can be a frustrating and uncomfortable condition, but it doesn’t have to affect your quality of life. While there is no cure for dry eye, there are many ways to manage and reduce symptoms and even improve your eye health over time. Contact us today to schedule your appointment and learn how you can find relief from chronic dry eye.