You’ve just been diagnosed with dry eye. Now what?
By Dr. Dennis Iadorola
Hi, I am Dr. Dennis Iadorola (“Dr. I”). I am a practicing Optometrist, dry eye specialist and Cofounder of MYZE.
After 30 years in practice, I have come to realize that dry eyes affect nearly everyone at some point. Your dry eye disease is specific to you. In my experience, I have never seen two patients who experience dry eye in the exact same way. Some days your dry eyes symptoms will be worse than other times, some days you may not even feel your eyes. Treatment for your type of dry eye requires a highly individualized approach.
However, there is one thing all dry eye patients can do, regardless of type of dry eye, symptoms, or the cause of your dry eyes.
Your eyes need and deserve a daily eye care routine.
You brush your teeth, don’t you? You probably have a daily skincare and haircare routine, so why are your eyes less important?
Best of all, we are talking about a routine that just makes your eyes feel good. Proper cleansing of your eyelids and eye lashes, having a quality preservative-free lubricating drop on you at all times and taking the right vitamins and supplements will go a long way to caring for your eyes.
By improving the daily health of your eyes, they will be more prepared to combat the ongoing causes and exacerbators of dry eye such as environmental factors (dust, smoke, allergens) or lifestyle stressors (diabetes, alcohol, acne rosacea). When your eyes are properly cared for, things like makeup, pool chlorine, pollen, sleeping under a fan etc… will have less of an effect.
If you have dry eye, don’t wait for flare ups to see your eye doctor. Yearly eye exams and physicals are another important way to maintain and protect your eye health. Your Dry Eye Specialist will work with your healthcare providers to give you the tools necessary to stay healthy. If you suffer from any form of arthritis, diabetes, depression and are taking medication for these issues, it is important for your doctors to work together. Many medications cause dry eye, and you may need an alternative medication to prevent this. More importantly, your doctors need to be aware of your dry eyes because dry eyes can often be a symptom of other diseases.
Unfortunately, dry eye disease is chronic and often progressive. Above and beyond the treatment plan your doctor prescribes, make sure you incorporate an eye care routine into your daily selfcare routines. Your eyes will thank you.
For more information on addressing and managing dry eye, follow our blog and our other social media @helpmyze. Or you can contact me directly at info@helpmyze.com.
Dr. I.