Women are 3x more likely to suffer dry eye syndrome
Everyone experiences the syndromes from time to time: burning, irritable eyes, and sensation that something is actually scratching the eye. But for some 3 million American women the symptoms are chronic, according to Dr. Shawna Heddinghaus, Therapeutic Optometrist. These women suffer from Dry Eye Syndrome.
“Tears are essential for good eye health,” Dr. Heddinghaus said, “They lubricate the eye, protect it from infections and wash away allergens. With dry eye syndrome, the eyes produce too few tears or tears of such poor quality that they don’t stay on the eye. Ironically, some people with the syndrome may actually experience tears running down their cheeks.”
Everyone experiences reduced tear production as they age, but women are more prone to Dry Eye Syndrome than men by a 3 to 1 margin. Studies have shown that hormone therapy may increase the incidence of Dry Eye Syndrome, as can birth control pills, blood pressure medicines, antihistamines and certain anti-depressants.
“April is Women’s Eye Health Awareness Month and we want women to know there are several options for managing Dry Eye Syndrome,” Dr. Heddinghaus said.
Those options include lubricating drops that can minimize the dry, scratchy sensation, prescription eye drops that can actually improve tear production and inserts place under the eyelid that slowly release lubrication throughout the day.
“Through a procedure called lacrimal occlusion, we can also temporarily or permanently close the tear ducts to prevent tears from draining away too quickly,” Dr. Heddinghaus said.
Dr. Heddinghaus owns and practices at Fireside Eye Care, PC located at 600 South 8th Street in Benld, IL and is a member of Vision Source, the nation’s number one network of private practice optometrists. Founded in 1991, The Vision Source includes more than 2,400 offices in all 50 states and Canada.
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