Good Lifestyle

Burn, itch, tear: if you suffer from dried eyes , you know how uncomfortable they can be. And if you notice that the problem gets worse, it is not your imagination.

"Dry eyes are part of the natural aging process, and therefore more dry eyes are noticed in people over 65," said Matthew Hildebrand , OD, optometrist and clinical director at Kleiman Evangelista Eye Centers of Texas , also noting that "women are more likely to develop dry eyes due to hormonal changes caused by pregnancy and menopause . ""

Although your first impulse may be to reach a bottle of eye drops to relieve scratching, use them too frequently - or use the wrong type - can worsen the problem.

James Kelly , MD, ophthalmologist at Kelly Vision Center In New York, tells Better life That even that he believes that everyone should keep their eyes properly moisturized with eye drops, especially during winter, it is important to use the drops of the eyes correctly and to know when it is time to see a doctor on your dry eyes.

What really happens when you use too many drops for the eyes? Read the rest to discover what these eye experts said.

Read this then: If you notice it with your eyes, do your thyroid, doctors say .

If your eyes feel more scratching than usual when time becomes winter, there is a good reason.

"A certain number of factors exacerbate ocular drought in winter, including interior heating systems, low ambient humidity and generally cold and winding weather conditions", explains Kelly, noting that "the dryness affects about 23 million people on a national scale "and that" those who spend a lot of time watching their computer, tablet or smartphone are more at risk. "The dysfunctional glands, diabetes, sleep apnea and certain cosmetic procedures can also cause dry eyes, he said.

"Other causes can be drugs such as antihistamines, decongestants, or hypertension drugs , "Add Hildebrand.

"As a rule, the first way to start treatment with dry eyes would be to use drops for over -the -counter eyes, or artificial tears, as I like to call them," explains Hildebrand. "There are a large quantity of brands and types of artificial tears. The best to use are artificial tears without preservative. These are the individual bottles that most different brands will wear."

"If the dry eye is more serious, there are prescription drugs to help drought such as catering, XIIDRA or CEQUA," he explains. "There is also the bad type of throat throat, such as visine or other products like" Get the Red Out ". These do an excellent job to eliminate the redness of the whites from our eyes, but ... Over time, it can cause reddish redness, where if you stop the drop suddenly, it can cause recurring redness that can take on weeks to have fun. ""

Hildebrand explains that he prefers artificial tears without preservative because they are "better for the long -term eyes". "Conservatives inserted in a normal bottle of artificial tears to help preserve the quality of tears can also irritate the eyes if used for long periods, or too frequently."

"The use of eye drops can help or hurt our eyes, according to what and how we use them," explains Hildebrand. "Our tear film is made up of three distinct layers: interior mucin, the aqueous and external lipid layer. For a layer of normal tear to help protect the eye, the three layers must be in perfect balance. If we start to Using too much for the eyes can disrupt this balance, which causes irritation and pain. " AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

"Depending on the type of eye drops, exaggerating them can cause increased redness and irritation," adds Kelly. "For drops which are intended to reduce redness, the overuse of them can lead to a condition known as the rebound hyperemia, by which the eyes become dependent on them and can become even more red when the drops are interrupted. For drops which are intended to lubricate the eyes, overuse can dilute natural tears and cause increased discomfort. "

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Although dry eyes do not seem a huge health crisis, they should not be ignored. "If it is not treated, a severe ocular drought can damage the cornea," warns Kelly. He says that the pain that is getting worse, the increase in blurred vision, redness and discharge are all reasons to visit your ophthalmologist. And if your dry eyes do not respond to the drops of the over -the -counter eyes, it is also a red flag. "Other medical conditions, including, but without limiting themselves, thyroid or autoimmune diseases" can be behind your dry eyes.

"The best way to find the right balance is to search for a drought specialist or an optometrist / ophthalmologist to moderate treatment and follow any progression," advises Hildebrand.

Best Life offers the most recent information from high -level experts, new research and health agencies, but our content is not supposed to replace professional advice. Regarding the medication you take or any other health issue you have, always consult your health care provider directly.