Avoiding Dry Eye related conditions this winter

Many people in the UK suffer from dry eyes. In fact, around 1 in 5 adults are afflicted with the problem, dealing with scratchy, tired eyes. It’s a condition that often feels worse in cold and windy weather, but there are ways to treat it so why not look at the options before winter comes?

Symptoms of dry eye

Oddly enough, watery eyes can actually be a symptom of Dry Eye. More common symptoms are feeling gritty, itchy, burning or stinging. You may feel like your eyes are tired all the time, or you might find your vision blurs at times.

Causes of dry eye

Lots of things can cause dry eye – air conditioning, spending too long looking at a computer screen, contact lenses, pollution and certain medications. However, one of the most common and treatable causes is blepharitis, or inflammation of the eyelids. Eyelids can become sore and red, sometimes with a crusty substance around the eyelashes. Other symptoms include itching, burning and gritty sensations.

How to treat blepharitis

The best way to find out if you have blepharitis is to visit our opticians in Orpington. Our experienced optometrist will look at your eyes and vision, and if you are diagnosed with blepharitis you will be offered the advanced and innovative BlephEx™ treatment – one of the best available in the market.

The treatment will thoroughly remove bacterial debris from the eyelids, which is the main cause of inflammation. You can have monthly treatments if required, our optometrist will advise you on whether you need repeat treatment.

Things you can do to alleviate dry eye conditions

Whether you have blepharitis or another cause of dry eyes, there are some things you can do to help alleviate the symptoms. Try to avoid spending too much time in air-conditioned environments, and if you spend a lot of hours looking at a screen, make sure to take regular breaks and remember to blink!

A clean, warm compress and cleaning your eyelids can help with blepharitis between treatments – your optometrist will advise you on best practice for this. You may also find eye drops helpful, again it’s a good idea to seek advice from a professional before self-treating.

Get your eyes checked

If your eyes have been feeling sore, gritty or itchy, or your eyelids are inflamed, book an appointment at our opticians in Orpington and we’ll give your eyes a good check over and advise you on the best course of action.