By Dr. Dawn Stratton
Special to NKyTribune
With all this frigid, wintry weather, you likely are spending much of your time in a heated house, building and car. That heat, as well as the cold and wind, can lead to dry eye problems.
A survey from Allergan shows that nearly half (48 percent) of American adults regularly experience dry eye symptoms. In dry eye syndrome, glands near the eyes don’t produce enough tears. Tears are important: they bathe the eyes, wash out dust and debris, and keep the eyes moist. They also contain enzymes that are essential for good eye health.
When it is cold and windy, try wearing goggles when you’re outside. An air cleaner can filter out indoor dust and other particles; while a humidifier adds moisture to air that’s too dry because of air conditioning or heating.
Other causes of dry eye include:
‣ The natural aging process, especially during menopause for women
‣ A side-effect of many medications
‣ Insufficient blinking, such as from staring at a computer screen all day
‣ Smoking
‣ Wearing contact lenses
Depending on the cause, dry eye syndrome may not be completely curable. But the accompanying dryness, scratchiness and burning can be managed. Because dry eyes can be caused by many different things, a variety of treatment and preventive approaches are used:
‣ Eye drops and other lubricants
‣ Punctal plugs help keep moisture on the eye by keeping tears from draining too quickly
‣ Wearing sunglasses that have foam-lined frames may help as the keep out dust, wind and other irritants
‣ Omega-3 fatty acids may reduce your risk for dry eyes; salmon, sardines, herring and cod liver oils are good sources of omega 3s.
‣ Drinking more water
Dr. Dawn Stratton is the founder of Stratton Eyes. She is a graduate of Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago and earned her Doctor of Optometry in 1994. Based in Lexington, Dr. Stratton is a member of American Optometric Association, the Kentucky Optometric Association, the National Association of Professional Women and the Fellowship of Christian Optometrists. She also provides eye exams for patients at the Hope Center, Room at the Inn and The Nest. Visit Stratton-Eyes.com for more information or call 859-245-2020 or email office@strattoneyes.com. You can also find the office on Facebook and on Twitter @StrattonEyes.