Your optometrist can assist you in selecting the best options to hydrate your eyes during the arid winter season. Even before you step outside, you can help prevent dryness by using a humidifier in your home.

Be sure to take additional protective measures once you’re outside. Protect your eyes from the wind and cold by wearing a brimmed hat and well-fitting sunglasses. The point is to keep the swirling winds away and stop evaporation of your eye’s tear film.

If your dryness is persistent, consider artificial tears. These may help relieve the irritating symptoms of dry eyes. Consult with your optometrist before you start using any eye drops to ensure they are the right solution for your condition.

Don’t forget—if you wear contacts, it’s important to be especially careful in the colder months. If able, make use of rewetting drops. While you may not realize it, lenses are like sponges and are required to stay lubricated to maintain their shape. If they begin to dry out, the contacts can lose their form and stick to the eyeball, causing pain and cloudiness. So let your lenses drink up and make sure to keep them moisturized this winter. With a little awareness and planning, you can avoid the dangers of the cold, dry weather and keep your eyes safe and cozy the whole season!

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Cigarette smoking increases risks for cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Tobacco smoke is an irritant to the eyes that worsens dry eye syndrome, even when exposure is from second-hand smoke. It even increases the risk of serious vision loss in people who have other eye diseases.

The 36th annual Great American Smokeout is November 17. Sponsored by the American Cancer Society, it is a day for smokers to give up cigarettes for a day and make a plan to quit permanently.

Joel Kestenbaum O.D. is a VSP provider in Long Island, NY.

VSP provider Joel Kestenbaum, O.D. from Long Island N.Y.  provides an overview of dry eye syndrome

Tears bathe our eyes to keep them nourished and usually do not leak down the cheek.  Why is that?  On the other hand, why do tears sometimes flow in such abundance that we must wipe them away?

Various glands in and around the eyelid produce the tears.  Microscopic glands produce the tears that are composed of water, oil, mucous and an abundance of nutrients.  If one of the components of the tears is not produced in the exact amounts, the tears become either too wet or too dry.

A common complaint in my office, especially as people age, is that tears run down the cheek.  Usually excess tear production occurs because the microscopic glands in the lid that produce the normal water part of the tears are not producing enough.  In response, the one large gland, the lacrimal gland, that normally secretes a lot of tears when we cry produces too much water so we drip.  This is classic dry eye syndrome.  Are you confused yet?

Among the many signs of dry eye include the eyes feeling scratchy, itchy, gritty, burny, looking red or pink, light sensitivity, vision complaints.

Dry eye treatment mostly consists of using artificial tears or tear substitutes.  There is also an FDA approved prescription eye drop, Restasis, which can help the tiny glands in the eyelid to increase its tear production.  Your eye doctor can make diagnosis of dry eye and offer treatment as needed.  Keep your eyes healthy.  Have your eyes examined regularly.

Dr. Joel Kestenbaum
www.optixeyecare.com

Photo from virtualmedicalcenter.com