What to Expect After a Macular Degeneration Diagnosis
If you’ve just gotten a diagnosis of macular degeneration, you’re probably worried about losing your vision and not sure what to expect. Here are a few tips to navigate the path ahead.
Why Your Eyes Feel So Dry and Gritty
You know that feeling where your eyes feel gritty and scratchy and dry, as if something is stuck in them?
It’s no fun, right?
We see this condition constantly in our patients at Berkeley Heights Eye Group. Here’s what we tell them about why their eyes might feel so dry and gritty — and what to do about it.
What causes dry eyes?
Your eyes are lubricated and protected by a tear film — a mix of oil, water, and mucus that coats the eye. When anything disrupts this delicate balance, or the film thins out, your eyes no longer have enough lubrication, causing a dry, scratchy sensation when you blink.
Common causes for this irritation include:
- Aging, especially after age 50
- Extended screen time (reduces blinking)
- Dry eye syndrome (your eye doesn’t produce enough tears)
- Wearing contact lenses
- A dry, windy environment
- Medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, thyroid disorders)
- Eyelid inflammation (clogged oil glands)
- Medications (e.g., antihistamines, antidepressants)
Symptoms of dry eye include a gritty, sandy sensation, burning or stinging, redness, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light.
If these symptoms occur only occasionally, they may not be a problem, but if they persist, it may be time to visit Berkeley Heights Eye Group for an eye exam.
How do you treat dry eyes?
Treatment depends on the cause of your dry eyes, but there are a few things you can do. For immediate relief, use over-the-counter lubricating eye drops to provide additional moisture in your eyes. (If your symptoms continue, though, you need to see an eye doctor.)
You can also try a warm compress to open blocked eyelid glands, and make an effort to blink more often, especially if you spend long hours looking at a screen or your phone. You should also build in screen breaks to give your eyes a rest from the strain of staying open for so long.
If you wear contact lenses, do your eyes a favor and switch to your glasses a couple of days a week. Contacts tend to absorb moisture from the surface of your eye, leaving them dry. They can also trap debris, leading to friction.
If your condition is chronic, you may also need prescription medication or eye drops, or in-office treatments designed to reduce inflammation and increase your tear production.
If you struggle with dry, gritty eyes, our experienced team at Berkeley Heights Eye Group can help. Call our office in New Providence, New Jersey, or request an appointment online today.
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