Dry eyes can be a big problem this time of year. Cold windy air affecting your eyes when your outside and warm dry air from vents in your home, work, and car aggravate dry eye disease.

Other things can make dry eyes worse, such as digital eyestrain, medications, contact lenses, medical conditions, and age. But don’t worry, the doctors at Lake Nona Eye Care have helped provide relief for many patients in Central Florida.

Tears are very important to the eyes. Not only to they provide lubrication and nourish the eye, they keep the eye’s surface clear and smooth, wash any foreign matter away, and they reduce the risk of an eye infection.

Dry eye syndrome can occur when you don’t produce enough tears or they evaporate before they are able to lubricate your eyes. Chronic lack of sufficient moisture and lubrication to the eye surface may result in inflammation and irritation to the eye.

Dry eyes can also occur when the delicate balance between the tear production and the small drainage ducts located in the corner of the eyelids are not working properly.

Dry eyes can affect just about every minute of every day. With over 5 million Americans over the age of 50 are suffering with the disease.  According to the National Eye Institute, dry eye symptoms include:

• Stinging or burning eyes
• A sandy or gritty feeling in the eye
• A stringy discharge from the eye
• Pain and redness of the eye
• Episodes of blurred vision
• Heavy eyelids
• Inability to cry when emotionally stressed
• Discomfort wearing contact lenses, depending on the style and fit.
• Decreased tolerance of reading, working on the computer, or any activity that requires sustained visual attention
• Eye fatigue
• Episodes of excess tears following very dry eye periods

Dry eyes can make it difficult to perform everyday activities. The first step in treating dry eyes, and the most important, is make an appointment with the doctors at Lake Nona Eye Care to determine the cause of the dryness. They will recommend a treatment plan, which may include prescription eye drops, silicone plugs inserted in the tear ducts, rewetting drops for your contact lenses, changing the brand of contact lenses, washing the tear ducts, and nutritional supplements.

Contact Dr. Ward and the professional team at Lake Nona Eye Care for an appointment today!