The Right Eye Drops for Dry Eyes: Explore your Options in Auckland, AZ
Have your eyes become drier more frequently than before?
The work-from-home setup which has become commonplace in the last few years is actually one of the leading causes of dry eye syndrome. What’s the reason, you ask? Well, we tend to blink our eyes less fully and less frequently whenever we tinker with our mobile phones and other portable digital devices like our laptops. This causes tear evaporation, which then increases the risk of dry eye syndrome.
Of course, other factors like being out on a windy day, frequent use of contact lenses, decreased indoor humidity in enclosed environments such as air travel can also contribute to dry eye symptoms. Even things like aging, smoking and certain diseases like diabetes, thyroid-associated conditions, and lupus can also contribute to dry eye problems.
Dry eyes are basically caused by a lack of lubrication and moisture on the surface of the eye. Having adequate and consistent layers of tears on the surface of the eye is very important to keep your eyes healthy and be able to see well.
Symptoms of dry eyes or dry eye syndrome include but are not limited to:
- a dry sensation
- itchy eyes
- a burning or aching sensation in the eyes
- heavy and fatigued eyes
- sore eyes
- blurred vision
- mucus that is forming around the eyes
- discomfort that is not normal when wearing contact lenses
While these symptoms may seem utterly simple, dry eyes can cause inflammation (and sometimes permanent) damage to the surface of the eye.
But don’t worry, there’s a solution to dry eyes: eye drops.
Eye drops are often the preferred method for treating dry eyes. But how exactly do you know what kind of drops should you get for your particular case?
Well, deciding on the best eye drops for dry eye depends on the kind of symptoms that you’re experiencing. You can always Google “Dry Eye treatment NZ” to get an idea. However, it’s still best to consult an eye doctor if you encounter any of the symptoms above because they can help prescribe what would be most suitable for your case. Also, remember to keep your hands clean before and after using eye drops to avoid contamination.
But just so you know, here are some of the options for eyedrops, NZ, and in any other part of the world.
Artificial tears aka “Over-the-counter” eye drops
This type of eye drop is usually the first step in dry eye treatment where dry eyes are caused by prolonged computer use, reading, and office/school work. Their main job is to keep the surface of the eyes dry and moist.
These types of eye drops come in a variety of ingredients and viscosity or thickness. Those with low viscosity often provide quick relief with little or no blurring of your vision whenever you apply them. However, their soothing relief is short-lived. Therefore, you must use these drops frequently to get adequate eye relief.
On the other hand, the gel-like artificial eye drops with high viscosity provide longer-lasting lubrication. As a result, these drops cause significant blurring of your vision for several minutes immediately after you apply them. These stay in the eyes longer, so they’re recommended for overnight use.
The ingredients in certain brands of artificial tears can also be a determinant of which dry eye condition they are best suited for. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions on how to use them. It is also not recommended to use another brand other than what your doctor prescribed as it may cause difficulty in assessing the success of the dry eye treatment given by your doctor.
While artificial tears are wonderful because they are cheaper, some people are allergic to the preservatives in them. Their eyes might get more irritated as a result. Once this happens, it’s best to stop using them and consult your doctor immediately for a different option.
Anti-inflammatory eye drops
If you have dry eye syndrome also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, you are currently experiencing a chronic eye problem. You have an inflammation that causes eye dryness. Eye drops that contain anti-inflammatories such as cyclosporine can reduce swelling and increase tear production. These drops are usually used twice a day and are recommended for long-term use.
Eye drops with oil
Some eye drops contain oil whose function is to replace the oil that is missing from your tear film. For instance, rosacea in the eyelids can reduce your eye’s oil supply so it’s best to use eye drops with oil.
What if I am wearing contact lenses?
If you are a wearer of contact lenses, it can get a little tricky choosing the right eye drops for you. Not all of these eye drops go well with contacts. If ever your contacts get dry, use the solution made for your contacts. It is best to consult with your eye doctor before mixing any kind of drops in your contacts.
How long should I use eye drops?
Experiencing dry eyes from time to time is not uncommon as these do not typically last long. However, in cases where the symptoms persist for a week or over-the-counter solutions do not work, it is best to see a doctor as dry eyes can also be the result of serious health problems. And in more severe cases, a doctor can help rule out and treat these underlying conditions. Knowing the cause of dryness will allow your doctor to help you make the best decision in terms of choosing the best treatment and eye drops for your condition.
If you have mild dry eye symptoms, you can do the following to get relief before going to the doctor:
- Take breaks during computer use
- Blink more often
- Thoroughly remove eye makeup
- Clean your eyelids
- Wear sunglasses
- Use a humidifier
NVISION Eyecare - Your Choice Optometrist (North Shore Auckland based)
If the above doesn’t work, NVISION eyecare is here to help you with your dry eyes, NZ concerns. Our owner and principal optometrist Ryan has more than 10 years of experience in the field. He founded NVISION Eyecare offering general optometry and specialized eye care services such as myopia control for children, dry eye treatment, and orthokeratology. His goal is to offer you the best eye treatment using state of the art technology while working closely with other health professionals to ensure we give our patients the high level of care that they deserve.
We will begin by diagnosing your particular type of dry eye. After that, we will prescribe a treatment regimen based on our thorough diagnosis. This involves an one and a half hours evaluation and assessment using advanced technology only used by dry eye specialists. Once this is finalized, our optometrist will then plan and discuss with you the treatment suited to your particular condition. He will also ensure that you will be comfortable throughout the whole process.
Our practice is based in the Apollo Health and Wellness Centre, Rosedale Auckland. If you’re currently experiencing any of the symptoms above, do visit us and we’ll definitely give you the best dry eye treatment you can find in New Zealand.
