Do your eyelids ever look red, feel sticky, or sore? Do you have a constant itch in the corner of the eye that you just can’t scratch? Maybe it feels even worse when you wake up in the morning. You may be one of the estimated 25 million Americans who suffer from blepharitis. Here’s what to know about blepharitis symptoms, causes, and treatment options.
Approximately 16 million Americans have been diagnosed with dry eye, and millions more have symptoms but remain undiagnosed. Dry eye can result from inadequate tear production or poor tear quality. Symptoms include:
Those over 65 and female are most likely to have symptoms. However, children are commonly diagnosed due to their significant digital device use. Once you have been diagnosed, it is important to understand that dry eye is a chronic condition that will always require treatment.
Your doctor will prescribe dry eye treatment tailored to your eyes, however, there are several lifestyle changes you can make to alleviate or improve your symptoms.
The question, “Doc, why are my eyes always red?” is commonly asked of me by patients. Red eyes are screaming for attention and rarely improve on their own without proper treatment.
There are several reasons your eyes can be red, many of which can be serious and should be assessed and treated by an eye doctor. Though over-the-counter eye drops exist to “get the red out,” they are only a quick fix and only mask the true eye problem.
Your doctor may ask you questions about your red eyes at your visit.
Tired of waking up with puffy or swollen eyelids? Often, the terms “puffy eyelid” and “swollen eyelid” are used interchangeably, but they are different.
While puffy eyelids may be a cosmetic nuisance, they are usually harmless and often the result of fluid retention overnight. Swollen eyelids are caused by an inflammatory response to an allergen, infection, or injury.
There are a number of common causes for swollen eyelids—some more serious than others.
