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Do You Know About Dry Eye?

HomeTag "eye allergies"
Apr 04

Do You Know About Dry Eye?

by DRROOSTER@COMCAST.NET in Eye Disease, Eye Health, Industry News 0 comments tags: , , , , , , 3980

Spring time in Glade Spring and Marion, pretty much anywhere in Virginia, means pollen! And while pollen isn’t the sole cause of dry eye, allergies and reactions to allergy medicines can cause dry eye.

Now, we figure that when most hear about dry eyes, they immediately think about Ben Stein and the legendary commercials, but most of us don’t know what dry eye is and what causes it.

Dry eye is when your tears are unable to provide adequate lubrication for your eyes. It can be that not enough tears are produced, but also that the tears that your eyes produce may not be the right consistency. Environmental conditions can create dry eye, as well as allergies and medicines. There are also medical conditions that cause dry eye.

The most prominent symptoms include stinging or burning of the eyes, redness of the eyes, sensitivity to light, blurred vision or eye fatigue.

If you find yourself with any of these symptoms, contact Royal Oak Eye Care and schedule an appointment. We’re here to help!

CLICK HERE TO CONTACT ROYAL OAK EYE CARE

image credit: Kate Lewis on flickr

Feb 07

Battling Eye Allergies

by DRROOSTER@COMCAST.NET in Eye Health, Industry News 0 comments tags: , , , , , , , , , 9347

Many of us battle eye allergies and it can be a frustrating problem for some. Eye allergies, or allergic conjunctivitis, present themselves in the form of itchy or red eyes and tearing or burning eyes. We often think of treating nasal allergies but ignore our eye allergies.

There are many different allergy triggers, like pollen, grass, pet dander, mold or dust mites. Even cigarette smoke or diesel exhaust can trigger eye allergies. So, when it comes to treating your eye allergies, what can you do?

Tips for managing your eye allergies
  • Keep your windows closed during high pollen periods
  • Use air conditioning in your home and car
  • Wear glasses or sunglasses outdoors to help protect your eyes
  • Use “mite-proof” bedding to help limit exposure to dust mites
  • Wash your hands after petting an animal
  • Use artificial tears, decongestant eye drops and oral antihistamines

If these tips are not able to control your eye allergies, it may be time to see an allergist for a prescription medication. If you have more questions about maintaining your health, contact Marion’s eye doctor. Our team would be happy to speak with you.

CLICK HERE TO CONTACT ROYAL OAK EYE CARE

image credit: parrchristy on flickr

May 23

Allergies And Eyes: How To Care For Your Itchy Eyes

by DRROOSTER@COMCAST.NET in Eye Health, Industry News 0 comments tags: , , , , , 10042

If you’re one of the many whose eyes are affected by allergies, you know the challenge in attempting to keep them from flaring up. Carrying around eye drops, avoiding going outside all together, and allergy medicines are just a few of the ways that you can care for your itchy eyes, but there’s more to it than just those. So, we want to take an opportunity to help, if we can, by giving you some practical advice for your eyes.

  • Allergens – If at all possible avoid allergens. Pollen, mold, dust and the like can flare up your eyes in an instant. Staying indoors is one way to combat allergens, but dust is inside and so are pets. Using your home’s HVAC system, instead of opening the windows, is another way to help your eyes. The air filters can remove many of the allergens that are in your home and can make their way in your home. Another tip is to make sure you wash your hands often, especially after touching a pet, to make sure you’re not contacting your eyes.
  • Eye Drops & Medicine – Artificial tears can help temporarily by washing the allergens from your eyes, but there’s a lot of options when it comes to medicine. Decongestant eye drops, with or without antihistamines,  oral antihistamines, antihistamines with mast-cell stabilizers, corticosteroids, and immunotherapy shots are just some of the options for medical treatment of itchy eyes. All have advantages and disadvantages. For example, overusing decongestant eye drops, past a couple of days, can actually make your eyes symptoms worse.

It is best to consult your eye doctor as to which medicine will work best for you. Not everyone responds the same and working with your eye doctor, they can help you determine the right formula to control your itchy eyes.

If you have questions about your eyes, don’t hesitate to contact Royal Oak Eye Care, we’re here to help!

CLICK HERE TO CONTACT ROYAL OAK EYE CARE

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image credit: Roadsidepictures on flickr