3 Things that Can Increase Your Risk for Dry Eye

/0 Comments/in /by

Anyone can experience the symptoms of dry eye, an irritating condition that affects your eyes’ ability to make enough tears or the right balance of tears. Healthy tears consist of three layers: an oily layer, a watery layer, and a mucous layer, all of which clean, lubricate, and hydrate your eyes for maximum comfort and protection. So, dry eye can also happen if that three-layer balance is disturbed, too. If you struggle with any of the following dry eye symptoms, schedule an appointment with your optometrist in Champaign at Champaign Eye Professionals:

  • Constant scratchy, stinging, or burning sensations
  • Redness and light sensitivity
  • Stringy mucus around the eyes
  • Irritation when trying to wear contacts
  • Blurry vision
  • Extra watery eyes (a response to an imbalance in tear production)
  • Eye fatigue

Since these symptoms can also indicate other eye conditions, it’s important to have your eyes evaluated right away. Your chances of struggling with dry eye are higher if you have any of the following risk factors:

1. Lifestyle and Environmental Factors

People who spend a lot of their time on screens can suffer eye strain, as can people frequently exposed to first or secondhand tobacco smoke. Allergies and contact lens use can also increase the risk.

2. Physical and Medical Factors

Women have a much higher risk of dry eye irritation than men because of all the hormonal changes they undergo throughout life, especially during pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause. Age can also play a role, as people over the age of 50 experience a natural decrease in tear production.

3. Medical Conditions

People who have a vitamin A nutritional deficiency have a higher risk of dry eye, as do people struggling with autoimmune conditions, endocrine diseases, and neurological disorders. Some medications that help control blood pressure, allergies, anxiety, glaucoma, and pain can trigger dry eyes as well. If you have had any eye surgeries (LASIK, cornea surgery, or cataract surgery), there is a higher risk as well.

See Your Champaign, IL Optometrists for Dry Eye Treatment

Keep in mind that dry eye symptoms can also indicate other eye diseases, so don’t ignore them. To protect your vision and restore eye comfort, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor at Champaign Eye Professionals today.

Home Remedies for Treating Dry Eye

/0 Comments/in /by

Treating dry eye in Champaign, IL may seem as easy as popping in a few drug store eye drops. The catch is that while remedy often works well at first, the reality is that the benefits can either wear off fast or stop working altogether. Here, we’ll look at other ways to treat dry eye at home, and what to do if you’re still experiencing the same issues.

Try a Warm Compress

Your tears are not just water and salt, which is why you can produce endless tears and still have dry eyes. Your meibomian gland, the one that rests on the edge of your eyelid, can get clogged, which blocks the oil and mucous needed to properly lubricate the eye. A warm compress can gently thin the oil and allow its release from the gland.

Watch Your Screen Time

When you’re staring at a screen, it’s easy to forget to blink. If you’re not taking regular breaks, you can end up feeling the effects for long after you step away. Whether you have to set an alarm for 20 minutes or force yourself to skip your social media break, limiting your screen time can do wonders for your dry eyes.

How an Eye Doctor Can Help

Certain types of dry eye can’t be treated at home, especially if the disorder is caused by a medication you’re taking or another type of medical condition. At Champaign Eye Professionals, our team can recommend anything from prescription eye drops to targeted treatments like OptiLight, which can provide long-term relief from dry eyes. If your dry eyes are starting to interfere with critical tasks, like driving around town, talk to an eye doctor in Champaign, IL who can help you settle on a better solution.

Why Eyes Feel Dry After Screen Time

/0 Comments/in /by

Dry, tired, or gritty eyes after a long day on your phone or computer? You’re not imagining it. Digital screens can take a toll on your eyes, and the reasons are surprisingly simple—and preventable.

Reduced Blinking While Staring at Screens

One of the main causes of dry eyes in Champaign, IL during screen time is reduced blinking. When you focus on a screen, your natural blink rate drops significantly. Since blinking spreads moisture across the surface of your eye, blinking less often means your eyes don’t get the lubrication they need. The result is dryness, irritation, and fatigue.

More Eye Exposure Means Faster Moisture Loss

The position of your screen matters. When you’re looking straight ahead or slightly upward, your eyes remain more open than when you’re reading a book or looking downward. That larger surface area leads to faster evaporation of your eye’s natural moisture, especially if you’re staring for long stretches without a break.

Environmental Conditions Make It Worse

Sitting near fans, heating vents, or in low-humidity spaces—like most air-conditioned offices—can worsen the problem. These conditions dry out the air around you, which in turn dries out your eyes even faster.

Common Symptoms to Watch For

You might feel a burning or stinging sensation, or it may feel like something gritty is stuck in your eye. Some people also experience blurry vision or increased sensitivity to light.

Simple Ways to Relieve Dryness

Try following the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Blink purposefully while working, use artificial tears if needed, and position your screen slightly below eye level to reduce exposure.

Your eyes work hard—especially around screens. Small adjustments can make a big difference in keeping them comfortable. For more support in keeping your eyes healthy, visit your optometrist in Champaign, IL.

Why do My Eyes Feel Dry All the Time?

/0 Comments/in /by

Your eyes should naturally produce lubrication, which helps to keep them comfortable and functioning as they should. But if you find that your eyes seem to be dry a lot of the time, you should visit with your Champaign, IL optometrist. In the meantime, here are some possible causes.

Too Much Screen Time

In today’s world, it’s impossible to avoid screens 100% of the time unless you’re a Luddite living off the grid. And while that’s a viable way of life for many, most of us have to interact with technology on a day-to-day basis, including using screens for work, play, navigation and so many essentials of life. But did you know that just the act of looking at screens can make your eyes feel dry? It’s all down to the fact that when people look at screens they blink 50-66% less, compared to their normal blink rate. On average, a person blinks 15-20 times per minute, but when focusing on a screen, this can drop to as low as 7-10 blinks per minute. This reduced blinking can contribute to dry eye syndrome. So if your eyes feel dry a lot, consider how much screen time you’re getting.

Environmental Factors

Dry, windy or air-conditioned environments can accelerate tear evaporation, leaving your eyes feeling parched. Indoor heating and air conditioning reduce humidity levels, making dry eye symptoms worse. People who fly a lot may also experience worsened dryness due to the low humidity in airplane cabin air.

Underlying Health Conditions

Certain medical conditions and medications can interfere with tear production. Conditions like diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, Sjogren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus can all reduce the body’s ability to produce tears.

If your eyes are chronically dry, don’t just ignore the problem, because dry eyes can lead to secondary complications. Come in to Champaign Eye Professionals for a dry eye evaluation in Champaign, IL. We have advice and treatments that can help.

Why Are My Eyes Chronically Dry?

/0 Comments/in , /by

Your eyes have a built-in mechanism for keeping your eyes moisturized. Although it’s natural for eyes to feel dry on occasion, this shouldn’t happen on a regular basis. If it does, you may have chronic dry eyes, and that can indicate a problem of some kind. Now, the problem isn’t necessarily something to do with the eye itself, although a dry eye evaluation in Champaign, IL is the only reliable determinant of that. The problem could be related to a number of things.

Allergies

It’s possible that you have eye allergies. Even if you’ve never had allergies before, they can develop at any time. Try to pay attention to when your eyes feel dry. You may discern a pattern that correlates between something in your diet or in the seasonal air, and the onset of dry eyes.

Toxins

Have you moved recently or changed to a new job? If your dry eyes only happen in a certain location, it’s possible that your eyes are responding to an airborne toxin. Even something as innocuous as household bleach can cause dry eyes if it’s used in excess quantities, such as when disinfecting commercial floors.

Tear Duct Blockage

If you find that your eyes have almost no moisture and you can’t even drum up a single tear, it’s possible there’s a physical reason for your dry eyes, which might be a blockage of your tear ducts. If this is the case, it might be possible to have a procedure to correct the problem.

There’s quite a bit of danger in ignoring chronic dry eyes. Your eyes need moisture. Without it, the cornea is prone to all kinds of damage, and there could be other complications, as well. Book an appointment today with your Champaign, IL optometrist so you can get a diagnosis and treatment.

Serious Risks of Dry Eye Syndrome

/0 Comments/in /by

Dry eye syndrome is becoming increasingly better known. For a lot of people, finding out that they have this condition has been a real eye opener. It certainly can explain a lot, including having chronically red eyes, having to rub the eyes a lot, or just an ongoing, relentless feeling of irritation in the eyes. But just because more people with dry eye syndrome in Champaign, IL are aware of it, doesn’t mean it can now be ignored. Treatment is essential if serious consequences are to be avoided.

Damage to the Cornea

The cornea, the clear front surface of the eye, is highly sensitive and needs a constant supply of moisture to stay healthy. Insufficient lubrication can lead to abrasions, ulcers, or scarring on the cornea.

Increased Risk of Eye Infections

Tears help wash away debris and bacteria from the surface of the eye. When tear production is inadequate, the eyes become more vulnerable to infections. People with dry eye syndrome may experience recurring eye infections, such as conjunctivitis (pink eye), which can lead to further discomfort, inflammation, and vision problems.

Impact on Daily Activities

Chronic dry eyes can make it difficult to perform everyday activities such as reading, using a computer, or driving. The discomfort can lead to frustration and reduced productivity, affecting both personal and professional life. Prolonged exposure to screens can worsen symptoms, leading to a cycle of irritation and difficulty focusing.

Development of Secondary Conditions

Untreated dry eye syndrome can lead to the development of secondary conditions, such as blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids) or meibomian gland dysfunction, which further exacerbates symptoms.

Don’t delay being seen by your optometrist in Champaign, IL if you think you might be suffering from dry eyes. As you can see, there are serious risks of not being treated. Contact us today to book your appointment.

Dangers of Untreated Dry Eye Syndrome

/0 Comments/in /by

If you suffer from dry eye syndrome in Champaign, IL, you need to realize the importance of ongoing treatment. In fact, if you even suspect that you may have dry eye syndrome, based on articles you’ve read, you should consult your eye doctor for an evaluation and firm diagnosis. Dry eye syndrome can lead to serious vision problems if left untreated. Following are some of the dangers of untreated dry eye syndrome:

Increased Risk of Eye Infections

Tears aren’t always bad. Tears help keep your eyes lubricated, but if you have dry eye syndrome, your tear ducts may not be functioning properly. The tear film in your eyes plays a crucial role in keeping them clean and protecting against infections. When dry eye syndrome persists, the lack of adequate moisture can cause small breaks in the eye’s surface, providing a gateway for bacteria and viruses to enter. This significantly increases the risk of developing eye infections such as conjunctivitis or keratitis.

Eye Discomfort and Pain

Your eyes shouldn’t hurt. Ever. But if you have dry eyes, your eyes do hurt, and it may be a chronic kind of pain. Beyond the initial irritation, untreated dry eye syndrome can lead to more severe discomfort and pain. These symptoms can worsen over time, affecting quality of life and making it harder to focus on work or enjoy daily activities.

Long-Term Eye Damage

Not only can treatment help your short-term discomfort from having dry eyes, but it can help to prevent long-term damage. Chronic dry eye can cause irreversible damage to your eyes if not managed properly. If you don’t get treated, the condition may lead to scarring on the cornea, the clear layer on the front of the eye, potentially resulting in long-term vision impairment.

Don’t take chances with your vision. Book an appointment with your eye doctor in Champaign, IL today.

Dry Eye: Common Causes & Treatment Options

/0 Comments/in /by

Dry eye is a common condition that can bring along a whole set of troubling symptoms. This problem occurs when you don’t have a normal amount of tears or your tears dry up too fast. Burning and itching are some of the most common symptoms you may experience.

If you’re suffering from this condition, contact Champaign Eye Professionals today for reliable dry eye treatment in Champaign, IL. We’re here to make a difference in your eye and vision health!

In this post, we’ll discuss the common causes of dry eye, including some treatment options.

How Is Dry Eye Caused?

Several factors can increase your chances of developing dry eye, or make symptoms worse if you already have the condition.

Lifestyle Factors

Those who look at screens for several hours a day are more prone to getting dry eye. Smoking, using contact lenses, and having allergies are some other lifestyle risk factors to consider.

Medical Conditions

Dry eye is also more common in those with certain medical conditions, such as neurological diseases, eye conditions, and autoimmune problems.

Medications

If you take certain medications for the following conditions, you’re at a higher risk of developing dry eye:

  • Depression
  • Blood pressure
  • Allergies
  • Glaucoma
  • Menopause
  • Pain

Keep in mind only certain medications can lead to this issue. Talk to your doctor about the specific risks of the medications you’re currently taking.

What Are the Treatment Options for Dry Eye?

There are several environmental and lifestyle changes you can instill to help treat dry eye. You can also find a wide variety of eye drops. For in-office treatments, there’s something called thermal pulsation therapy (Lipiflow®). This process calmly massages and warms your eyelids to help your meibomian glands produce oil.

Another option is intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy, which uses pulses of light to melt the thick substances that get in the way of your meibomian glands.

If you’re ready for trusted dry eye care, contact Champaign Eye Professionals to work with the top eye doctor in Champaign, IL!

Are Itchy Eyes a Symptom of Dry Eye Syndrome?

/0 Comments/in /by

Dry eye syndrome is a common condition where the eyes do not produce enough tears to lubricate the areas that need moisture. Your Champaign, IL eye doctor can diagnose and treat dry eye syndrome, based on your symptoms. One of the most unrecognized symptoms of this condition is itchy eyes.

Are Your Itchy Eyes Caused by Dry Eye Syndrome?

Even though itchiness is definitely one of the symptoms of dry eye syndrome, there are other reasons why your eyes may be itchy. One of them is allergies. You could be allergic to pollen, grass, or any number of other seasonal allergens. You might also be allergic to some kind of eye makeup that you’re wearing, or the laundry detergent you’re using. Bear in mind that allergies can crop up at any time of life. Even if you weren’t allergic before, you may have developed a new allergy.

Other Symptoms of Dry Eyes

If you do have dry eye syndrome, you’ll have some other symptoms besides itchiness. These include:

  • redness
  • puffy eyes
  • gritty or sandy feeling in the eye
  • blurry vision

You may have other symptoms, too. When you visit your eye doctor, bring a list of all your symptoms. This will help in evaluating whether you have dry eye syndrome or something else, such as an eye infection or eye allergies.

Allergy Symptoms

It’s good to distinguish between allergy-related itching and dry eye syndrome. Allergies typically present with additional symptoms, such as sneezing, a runny nose, and watery eyes.

Contact us today for a dry eye evaluation in Champaign, IL. You’ll find out once and for all if your itchy eyes are caused by this condition. After that, your eye doctor will recommend a treatment plan so you can finally get relief.

What Are Demodex Mites and Do They Contribute to Dry Eyes?

/0 Comments/in /by

If you’re one of the millions of people who suffer from dry eyes, you may already know that the causes are not always easy to identify. From excess screen time to gland dysfunction, the reality is that that stinging, burning sensation could be coming from anywhere. If you know nothing about Demodex mites, you might want to learn more about these microscopic creatures and how they can impact your eyesight.

What Are Demodex Mites?

Demodex mites are small, wormlike creatures that live on both the skin and eyelashes. They’re usually fueled by the dead cells and oils in your body, and while they may be unpleasant to think about, they are usually harmless. However, if they have the chance to multiply, they can cause anything from skin to eyelid inflammation.

Do Demodex Mites Lead to Dry Eyes?

Yes, Demodex mites can cause burning, itching, redness, and crusting of eyelids that translate to dry eyes. If you feel like you constantly have something in your eyes but can’t identify the source, it could be an overgrowth of these mites. Dry eyes in Champaign, IL, are a harmless condition on the surface in that they won’t typically lead to eye damage or more serious eye diseases. However, dry eyes can impair your ability to perform critical activities, like driving, so it’s important to get your dry eyes checked out.

See an Eye Doctor in Champaign

The right eye doctor in Champaign, IL can assess the severity of your dry eyes and recommend solutions for the problem. If you do have Demodex mites, it may just be as simple as using a medicated scrub or ointment to kill off the mites. To schedule an evaluation contact Champaign Eye Professionals today!