Six Things You Should Know About Dry Eyes

Your dry eyes aren’t just momentary discomfort, but rather, a sign of a chronic medical condition called Dry Eye Disease (or DED) or Dry Eye Syndrome. This medical condition can have a major impact on your daily life. While dry eyes are a medical condition, that doesn’t mean that you need to suffer while waiting for a doctor’s appointment. 

We’ve compiled six vital things you need to know about overcoming dry eyes, as well as how to find the best relief for dry eyes.

1. There are Two Types of Dry Eye Disease 
2. Who Dry Eye Disease Affects 
3. What Dry Eye Disease Looks Like
4. How to Diagnose Dry Eye Disease
5. The Best Relief for Dry Eyes 
6. Current Treatments for Dry Eye Disease

1). There are Two Types of Dry Eye Disease

Did you know that there are actually two different types of DED? Both aqueous tear-deficient and evaporative are different types of Dry Eye Disease. 

Knowing which type of DED you have can make a difference in treating your dry eyes. But, what’s the difference?

• Aqueous Tear-Deficient DED: this type of dry eye disease comes from reduced production in the tear (lacrimal) glands. It accounts for approximately 10% to 15% of dry eye disease.
• Evaporative DED: this type of Dry Eye Disease is also called Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) and accounts for over 85% of dry eye cases. MGD is caused by blockages in the tiny Meibomian glands in our eyelids that produce protective oils that coat our tear film to reduce evaporation of our natural tear fluids.   

2). Who Does Dry Eye Disease Affect?

Dry Eye Disease can affect anyone – over 300+ million people are seeking respite from symptoms and the negative impact on their daily lives. Women are twice as likely to suffer from dry eyes than men due to a combination of factors like hormonal changes during pregnancy or menopause, the use of eye cosmetics and greater use of contact lenses. Although dry eyes have historically been viewed as affecting older people, the skyrocketing use of digital devices like smart phones, tablets, gaming systems etc have driven the onset of MGD among people in their 20’s and 30’s as well as in some children. 

3). What Does Dry Eye Disease Look Like?

Dry Eye Disease can look different from person to person. Dry eyes can also be a symptom of other health factors, but your eyes might be more than irritated if you’re feeling any of the following symptoms: 

• An irritable, scratchy, stinging, or even a burning sensation in the eyes
• A congealed, stringy mucus in or around the eye
• Light sensitivity
• Red eyes or watery eyes
• Feeling like you have something in your eye
• Difficulty in wearing contact lenses or trouble driving at night
• Relying on artificial tears

If you are experiencing dry eyes that are red, irritated, or just in pain, consult a doctor by using our physician locator and choosing a doctor specializing in dry eye issues from the list. You can also check out why so many doctors recommend EverTears^® as the best dry eye remedy.  

4). Can I Get Relief Without A Doctor’s Prescription?

Most who suffer from DED can treat their symptoms through over-the-counter treatments without a formal diagnosis or prescription. For prolonged symptoms like those listed above, you should try EverTears^®, a doctor-recommended solution that goes beyond temporary relief to help address the gland issues (MGD) that actually cause the symptoms for most people suffering from dry eyes.

5). The Best Relief for Dry Eyes

With modern advancements, there are many over-the-counter treatments for dry eyes, although they vary in effectiveness:

“Artificial Tears” or Eye Drops

“Artificial Tears” are chemical eye drops designed to mimic our natural tear fluids. Over-the-counter “Artificial Tears” can provide temporary relief of symptoms but have not been proven to address the underlying cause of most dry eye cases (MGD). These drops are, at best, only a temporary solution. Many dry eye sufferers indicate they would prefer to retain their own NATURAL tears versus using “Artificial Tears” many times per day.  

Washing Your Eyelids

Gently washing your eyelids with a clean cloth over the eyes can not only soothe but cleanse the eyes. Washing with warm water and a clean cloth can help loosen clogs and stimulate protective oils to flow as it melts from a solid to a liquid state. Simply washing the eyelids is part of a hygienic routine, rather than a course of treatment for itchy, burning, or irritated eyes, especially since most dedicated eye wipes available over the counter are unheated.

Warm Compress For the Eyes

A warm compress for the eyes doesn’t just provide relief but also creates an environment that can hygienically help unclog your glands for natural tear retention – the best solution for your body. This is accomplished through the heating of the compress, which melts hardened oil (meibum) in the Meibomian glands so it can move to the eyes.  However, who has the room or time to carry around a spare cloth or bulky compress everywhere they go and try to dampen or microwave it? 

ThermaMEDx EverTears^®

A truly proven solution – elevating the soothing effect of a warm compress, EverTears^® is an individually packed pre-moistened pad for alleviating the pain and discomfort of dry eyes. EverTears^® combines the best parts of an eyelid wash with sterile pads and a warm compress.  This treatment provides heat at the precise temperature to unblock clogged eyelid glands. This heat stimulates the best tears to hydrate your eyes – yours. 

This approach works to provide relief, causing better tear film layer retention for Meibomian Gland Disorder (MGD).

6). Current Treatments for Dry Eye Disease

The best treatment for Dry Eye Disease is to unclog your Meibomian glands to let them do what they do best – produce essential meibum that protects and hydrates your eyes. 

Directly treating the blocked glands of your eyelids means that you don’t have to pursue more severe approaches or endure the inconvenience and agitation that persistent dry eyes can cause. This is one of many reasons why EverTears^® is the best at-home product for treating your dry eyes. With convenience and FDA registration, EverTears^® treats symptoms at the root cause, rather than trying to temporarily treat symptoms in the moment.  

Relieve Your Dry Eye Symptoms With EverTears^®

Understanding Dry Eye Disease is critical to receiving proper care and treatment. These common questions and concerns are a big-picture guide to how you can understand and relieve dry, itchy, or uncomfortable eyes. EverTears^® is a long-lasting and effective treatment and can make suffering through dry eyes a thing of the past.