Gritty, sore, and tired Eyes?

Many people suffer with sore, gritty and tired eyes.  Others find that their eyes seem to water all the time. They may be suffering from Dry eye, their eyes might not be producing enough tears, or the tears they are making may be of poor quality, evaporating faster than they should. The main function of tears is to keep the surface of the eye lubricated, any reduction in the quality of the tears can cause gritty burning sensations, which can even disturb vision.

The symptoms of dry eye include:

• Excessive watering

• Grittiness

• The feeling of a foreign body in the eye

• Dryness

• Redness

• Pain

• Tired eyes

• Photophobia (sensitivity to light)

• Blurred vision

• Irritation from wind/smoke

• Contact lens discomfort

There can be many causes of Dry Eye, these include:

• Ageing

• Dry environment and pollution

• Blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids)

• Contact Lens wear

• Computer use

• Eye surgery

• Certain types of medication (your optometrist or Doctor can advise you of any known links between medicine and Dry Eye)

• Hormonal changes, especially in women (menopause)

• Dry Eye may also be symptomatic of general health problems or disease. People with arthritis are more prone to Dry Eye (Sjogren’s Syndrome: arthritis + dry eye + dry mouth)

• Preservatives

At Valli Opticians we can provide a tailor-made treatment programme to manage the symptoms of Dry Eye.  We can offer the very best in products and our Optometrists have been highly trained to advise on the best course of treatment. One such product is THEALOZDUO® by Spectrum Thea, a unique formula combination of Hyaluronic acid for long lasting lubrication and Trealose for protection. THEALOZDUO® is a preservative free solution, which can be used for up to 3 months after opening and can be used as often as required. THEALOZDUO® can be used by contact lens wears and non contact lens wearers alike and comes in a handy easy to use bottle. The hypotonic solution restores the natural balance of the tears for ongoing comfort.

If you find yourself, or anyone you know to be suffering from the above symptoms, please speak to one of our staff.  To book an appointment or find out more about our exclusive dry eye service contact your friendly local opticians today.