How to Recognize and Manage Dry Eye Syndrome

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If you find yourself wondering if you are one of the millions of people with dry eye syndrome, contact your optometrist in Pittsburgh, PA at Lappen Eye Care for an appointment. Dry eye syndrome isn’t just a minor inconvenience. It’s a serious condition that can lead to serious consequences if left untreated. Whatever you do, don’t try to treat your dry eyes with those eye drops you see at the drug store promising to keep your eyes moist. Sure, you might get temporary relief, but in the long run, they can make your condition worse. Learn more about recognizing and managing dry eye syndrome.

What is Dry Eye Syndrome?

Dry eye syndrome occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly. This condition can lead to symptoms like irritation, redness, a gritty sensation, and blurred vision. Environmental factors, such as dry air or prolonged screen time, can exacerbate these symptoms. If you live in Pittsburgh, where seasonal changes can affect humidity levels, you may be particularly susceptible to dry eyes.

Recognizing Symptoms

Common symptoms of dry eye syndrome include persistent dryness, burning, itching, and a feeling of something foreign in the eye.

Causes and Risk Factors

Age, hormonal changes and certain medical conditions like diabetes or autoimmune disorders can raise risks. Environmental elements such as wind, smoke, and prolonged exposure to screens can also play a role.

Managing Dry Eye Syndrome

To manage dry eye syndrome effectively at home, start by incorporating lifestyle changes. Take regular breaks from screens, and follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Stay hydrated, and consider using a humidifier to add moisture to the air in your home or office.

This is information for home use, but you really need to see your optometrist at Lappen Eye Care for professional dry eye syndrome treatment in Pittsburg, PA. Contact us today to book your appointment.

Do Home Masks Work for Dry Eyes?

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Dry eyes are a common medical condition, but they’re also one of the least serious disorders you can have. Because they’re not particularly dangerous, it’s easy for people to pick up a few eye drops and call it a day. Of course, chronic dry eye is a different story that can impact your vision at key times of day (like when driving). We’ll examine how home masks work and whether you should try one.

Dry Eyes and Masks

Dry eyes in Pittsburgh, PA can be caused by anything from medications to hereditary disorders. In these cases, dry eye masks may not make much difference. That’s because masks target the meibomian gland, otherwise known as the gland that produces the oil that mixes with your tears to combat dry eye. When this gland is clogged, the oil production can slow or stop entirely. A dry eye mask can gently loosen up the oil so it can exit through the eyelid.

Do Dry Eye Masks Work?

The short answer is that dry eye masks do work for some people. In fact, warm compresses made from a washcloth can be equally effective, depending on the severity of the condition. That’s because warming the oil will make it more fluid, so you can enjoy better quality tears and keep dry eyes at bay.

Curing Dry Eye in Pittsburgh, PA

For some people, dry eyes are little more than a nuisance, solved with little more than a hot shower or a good night’s sleep. For others, they may need occasional home remedies for relief. For more serious cases, though, ones that cause more extreme discomfort, it can help to see an eye doctor in Pittsburgh.

Tips for Managing Dry Eye at Home

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When you’re suffering from chronic dry eye, finding solutions is difficult. One of the most important things to do is check in with your Pittsburgh area eye doctor for medical care. However, there are things you can do at home to manage the burning, gritty feeling in your eyes. Here are some tips from the team at Lappen Eye Care to help you get on track.

Use Warm Compresses

Sometimes, dry eye occurs because of inflammation and debris clogging the oil-producing glands on the lid of the eye. A warm compress can thin out this inflammation and gunk, allowing the glands to produce oil and keep the eye moist. Leave the compress on your eye for at least one minute, then use gentle pressure to clear any clogs after warming the eye.

Train Yourself to Blink

Many people do desk jobs that reduce how much time they blink each hour. Train yourself to blink more often. You can also close your eyes for 20 seconds every 20 minutes while you’re sitting at your desk.

Up Your Fish Oil

Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in salmon and tuna, are great for eye health. Try including these in your diet. If you can’t, then add a supplement if your doctor thinks it is a good idea.

Hydrate!

Drink ample water to keep your eyes moist. Eight to ten glasses of water a day are ideal, and balance any caffeine or alcohol intake with additional water. Including foods that are high in water, like cucumber, in your diet can also help.

As you implement these changes at home, make sure you’re keeping up with any medical advice from your eye doctor. Schedule an eye exam to ensure your eyes are healthy. Dry eye is no joke, but you can get help with the treatment Lappen Eye Care. Schedule an appointment today.

Are There Serious Ill Effects of Dry Eye Disease

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If your eyes don’t produce enough tears to adequately lubricate your eyes, or if your tears dry too quickly, there can be some consequences that lead to serious consequences for your vision. Diagnosing dry eyes that might cause lasting issues with your sight is the job of your vision specialists at Lappen Eye Care.

What is Dry Eye Syndrome?

Detecting dry eye syndrome is the job of the trained professionals at our four locations in the Pittsburgh area. If you experience discomfort from dry eyes, be sure to mention the problem to your eye doctor at your next appointment. Early detection of a problem can be key to successful treatment. Left untreated, chronic dry eyes might lead to corneal ulcers, conjunctivitis, an inability to wear contact lenses, extreme light sensitivity, migraine headaches, or mood disorders, including depression.

Most of the issues associated with chronic dry eye are readily treatable by your professional eye doctor, but it pays to understand that tears are necessary for optimal eye health. Go ahead and cry during sad movies — it’s good for your eyes. But, if at other times and during normal activities, your eyes are frequently red or if they feel gritty or sandy, you should ask your vision specialist or family eye doctor to check for chronic dry eye.

Things to Avoid if Your Eyes Are Dry

Wind, interior air conditioning, and too much screen time can exacerbate dry eye issues, so you might want to keep a log that details when and how often your eyes feel overly dry. Over-the-counter drops can help alleviate symptoms, but if your eyes are continually dry or if your vision becomes blurred, you should schedule a consultation with your eye professional.

Our doctors will perform the necessary tests to determine what further actions will benefit your dry eye condition.

Request an appointment at one of our convenient locations. Protecting your eyes is one of the best ways to boost overall wellness and enjoy life. Don’t put that off.

What’s Causing My Eyes to Itch?

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Do your eyes itch seasonally or throughout the year? Understanding the cause of the itching and what you can do to alleviate it can help you stay comfortable. Your eye doctor in the Pittsburgh area can help.

 

What Causes Itchy Eyes?

Although many things can cause eyes to itch, the most common cause is allergies. Allergy to pollen affects many people at specific times of the year. Pet dander is another allergy that can cause eyes to become itchy.

Some people are allergic to lotions or makeup. Irritants in the environment like smoke and dust can cause eyes to become itchy. Some people even get itchy eyes because of their contact lens solution.

 

How to Find The Cause

While you may be able to identify the cause of your itchy eyes through trial and error, an allergist can help as well. Allergists perform tests to find out what patients are allergic to, so they can take steps to protect themselves.

 

How to Alleviate the Itching

Never rub itchy eyes. Rubbing your eyes can cause injury and can cause further irritation.

If you’re allergic to something in the environment, try to limit your exposure. Close your windows to keep out pollen and increase your cleaning regimen at home. Change your sheets often. Artificial tears can help as well.

 

Have Dry Eyes? Contact Your Eye Doctor

Some people get itchy eyes because of a condition called “dry eye.” Dry eye can be caused by medications and medical conditions. If you have severe dry eye, your eye doctor can help. See the eye doctor at Lappen Eye Care for an eye exam in the Pittsburgh area. Call today to make an appointment.

Testing for Dry Eye Disease

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People worldwide experience dry eye disease, and some don’t even know it. Dry eye disease in Pittsburg, PA, occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears, those tears dry up too quickly, or both. But before your eye doctor can determine if you have dry eye disease, they will need to perform one or more of the following tests.

Testing for Dry Eye Disease
Here is what you can expect.

Slit Lamp Exam
The Slit lamp exam checks to see how much tear production your eyes are producing. This is done by your eye doctor shining a light into each individual eye. They then use a microscope to inspect your eyes.

Schirmer’s Test
The Schirmer’s test involves your eye doctor in Pittsburgh, PA placing a small piece of paper across your eyelid. It will be left there for several minutes, causing your eyes to produce tears. The doctor will then measure your tears by examining how much of the paper is covered.

Tear Breakup Time (TBUT) Test
The Tear Breakup Time test checks your eyes for how quickly your tears evaporate. Your eye doctor will dye your eyes and use a microscope to see how long the tear film remains. This is checked by measuring the amount of time between your last blink and when the first dry spot on your eye shows up. You might have dry eye disease if it’s fewer than 10 seconds.

Antibody Tests
Antibody tests are sometimes performed to check and see if you have any underlying medical conditions.

Do You Need an Optometrist in Pittsburgh, PA?
You should never leave eye issues untreated, or else you risk them getting worse. Contact Lappen Eye Care today to schedule a dry eye evaluation. We have state-of-the-art equipment and resources to provide you with the best optical care available.

Hydration Hacks for Dry Eyes: Beyond Water and Eye Drops

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Of all the ocular health conditions people face, dry eyes are one of the most common reasons for seekingmedical eye care in Pittsburgh, PA. While the top two recommendations for dry eye management always include hydration and good eye drops, other hacks can also help. Check out these less-mentioned ideas for managing your dry eye issues.

1. Check Your Environment for Chemicals
Chemicals and air pollutants can contribute to dry eye symptoms. For example, if you frequently use home fragrance products or perfume, these products contain chemicals that can irritate your eyes. If you have ongoing issues even with hydration and eye drops, take a look at pollutants in your environment that could be to blame.

2. Monitor Allergen Exposure
Seasonal allergies can affect your eyes, even contributing to dry, irritated eyes. Therefore, if you have ongoing issues with dry eyes, consider if exposure to allergens would be to blame. For instance, pet dander and dust may be to blame if you are known to have allergy sensitivities to these often airborne compounds.

3. Wear Sunglasses
Some people can have a higher sensitivity to UV light than others, and this heightened sensitivity can exacerbate dry eye symptoms. In some cases, no UV protection can cause excessive tearing, which in turn can cause issues with dry and tired eyes. Therefore, be sure to wear UV-protective sunglasses when in the sun.

Discuss Other Dry Eye Solutions with a Pittsburgh Optometrist
Dry eyes can be aggravating, but there are solutions that a Pittsburgh eye doctor can offer that can help. If you struggle with dry eyes, be sure to reach out to the team at Lappen Eye Care to schedule an appointment.

Can Your Eyes Get Sunburned?

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If you spend any amount of time in the sun, you shouldn’t neglect protecting your eyes. It’s important to talk with your optometrist in Greensburg, PA, about how the sun can damage your eyes. Did you know your eyes could get sunburned? They can! Keep reading to learn more.

Can Your Eyes Get Sunburned?
Most people don’t realize their eyes can get sunburned. This is a condition called photokeratitis. Sunburned eyes are extremely painful and generally require urgent medical care. But fortunately, photokeratitis doesn’t usually lead to permanent blindness.

How Do You Know if Your Eyes Are Sunburned?
You will know if you have sunburned eyes if you have the following symptoms.

Severe eye pain after being in the sun.
Red eyes.
Gritty feeling eyes.
Swelling in your eyes.
Blurred vision.
Watery eyes.
Sensitivity to bright light.
Twitching eyelids.
You see halos.
How Do You Treat Sunburned Eyes?
If you have sunburned eyes, you will need to schedule an eye doctor exam in Greensburg, PA, immediately for a diagnosis and treatment. But while you are waiting for your eye doctor’s appointment, you can do the following to treat your sunburned eyes.

Take a cold, wet cloth compress and put it over your closed eyes. This will help reduce any eye pain and swelling you might have. You can also get some artificial tears eyedrops to lubricate your eyes. This will help ease the gritty feeling that comes from sunburned eyes. Additionally, you can take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen. This will help reduce much of the eye irritation and inflammation that accompanies sunburned eyes.

Do You Need an Optometrist in Greenburg, PA?
If you need an optometrist in Greenburg, PA, please Contact Lappen Eye Care today. We offer a comfortable, relaxing environment where we treat everyone like family. And we have state-of-the-art equipment and technology to ensure you get the best dental care possible.

The Dangers of Ignoring Your Dry Eyes

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Blurry eyes are a relatively common condition that most people experience when they’re tired or after staring at a screen for too long. When you become accustomed to it, though, it becomes easier to ignore. If dry eyes cause the blur, this could be more dangerous than you think. We’ll look at why it’s so important to visit a doctor if you have symptoms.

Chronic Dry Eyes

Chronic dry eyes in Pittsburgh, PA, are a condition that occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or your eyes don’t produce the right type of tears. Because the lubrication comes from both water and oil, you can still experience dry eyes even if your eyes water on a regular basis.

Dangers of Dry Eye

Dry eyes are by no means life-threatening and, on the list of possible medical problems, would rank relatively low on the list. However, if you’re not addressing dry eyes, it can lead to damage to the eye tissues. This is because, over time, the lack of tears can lead to a breakdown of the protective cells of the eye. If your eyes are extremely dry on a regular basis, it can even lead to a cornea scratch. The best way to treat dry eye is to find an optometrist in Pittsburgh, PA, with enough experience to find a long-term solution.

Eye Doctors in McMurray, PA

Lappen Eye Care, with locations in McMurray, Pittsburgh, and Greensburg, PA, has optometrists who can tell you more about how to treat your dry eyes. If you’ve ever found yourself struggling to see because the sting in your eyes is so strong, it’s important not to wait. Making an appointment with us can help you learn more about what’s causing dry eyes so you can move ahead.

Managing Dry Eyes: Relief and Treatment Options in Pittsburgh

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Dry eyes are a common condition that can affect your comfort, vision, and quality of life. Whether caused by environmental factors, prolonged screen time, or an underlying medical condition, dry eyes occur when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or the right kind of tears to keep them properly lubricated. At Lappen Eye Care, we specialize in diagnosing and treating dry eye syndrome to help you find lasting relief.

What Causes Dry Eyes?

Dry eyes can result from various factors, including:

  • Age: Tear production tends to decrease as we age.
  • Environment: Exposure to wind, smoke, or dry air can exacerbate symptoms.
  • Screen Time: Staring at screens reduces blinking, which can lead to dryness.
  • Contact Lenses: Prolonged wear can interfere with natural tear production.
  • Health Conditions: Conditions like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or thyroid disorders can contribute to dry eyes.
  • Medications: Certain medications, such as antihistamines and antidepressants, can reduce tear production.

Symptoms of Dry Eyes

Common signs of dry eyes include:

  • Burning or stinging sensation
  • Redness and irritation
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Blurred vision, especially after reading or screen use
  • Feeling like something is in your eye
  • Watery eyes (a reflex response to dryness)

How We Treat Dry Eyes at Lappen Eye Care

If you’re experiencing symptoms of dry eyes, we offer a range of treatment options tailored to your needs:

  1. Artificial Tears: Over-the-counter or prescription eye drops can provide temporary relief.
  2. Prescription Medications: Medications like Restasis® or Xiidra® can help increase tear production and reduce inflammation.
  3. Punctal Plugs: These tiny devices block tear drainage, helping your eyes retain moisture longer.
  4. Lifestyle Changes: Adjusting screen habits, using a humidifier, or wearing protective eyewear can reduce symptoms.
  5. Advanced Treatments: For chronic cases, we may recommend specialized therapies like LipiFlow® to address meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), a common cause of dry eyes.

Don’t Let Dry Eyes Affect Your Life

Dry eyes can be uncomfortable, but relief is possible with the right treatment plan. At Lappen Eye Care, we’re dedicated to helping you find effective solutions that improve your eye health and comfort. With locations in Pittsburgh, McMurray, and Greensburg, expert care is always within reach.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment and take the first step toward healthier, more comfortable eyes!