OIC Integrative Optometry – Heat and Meibomian Gland: What You Should Know

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Dry eyes can often seem like it comes down to a lack of water. If the body can’t produce enough salty tears, then it stands to reason that the eyes will be irritated and itchy. However, if you suffer from occasional bouts of dry eye in Cincinnati, OH, you might be surprised to know that you’re also missing oil from the meibomian gland. We’ll look at this issue, and what can be done about it.

The Meibomian Gland

This gland is located in your eyelid, and it produces oil that mixes with tears to keep the eyes healthy. If this gland is clogged, which is relatively easy given how tiny it is, the result is dry eyes. There are any number of reasons why you might have a malfunctioning meibomian gland, but the usual reasons are factors like smoking, infection, or allergens. In some cases, there’s no immediate cause for it.

How Heat Can Help

The most obvious answer to dry eyes are eye drops. Whether prescription or not, this solution is relatively effective at keeping your eyes watered. However, you might also want to try a warm compress on the eyes as an organic way to thin the oil in the meibomian gland and ensure it can exit the lid. There are also microwave masks that may be able to help.

Find a Optometrist in Cincinnati, OH

If you’re plagued by dry eyes that don’t seem to clear up no matter what you do, seeing an optometrist in Cincinnati, OH can make a world of difference. (Dry eyes might not be life-threatening on their own, but think about what stinging eyes can do when you’re out on the road.) OIC Integrative Optometry is here to help you keep your sight clear, so make an appointment with our staff today.

Key Lifestyle Changes for the Treatment of Dry Eye

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Are painfully dry eyes leaving you searching for a solution more often than not? If so, you might be surprised to hear that key lifestyle changes can increase lubrication in your eyes and ease your discomfort. With that move, you can avoid spending far too much time seeking care for dry eye in Cincinnati, Ohio. Ready to get started? Here’s what you need to know.

Abstain from Smoking

With more than 7,000 chemicals in their composition, cigarettes can prove extremely irritating to your eyes. Each time you light up, the smoke steadily breaks down the protective layer of tears, letting your eyeballs get highly irritated. So, skip the smokes in favor of chewing gum and watch in awe as your dry eye symptoms ease up.

Boost Water Intake

If you don’t drink enough water each day, low-key dehydration can set in, leaving your body without the fuel needed to create enough tears. As that occurs, your eyes may start to feel rather dry and irritated well before you even start feeling thirsty. To avoid all that, aim to boost your water intake to 64-ounces per day.

Blink More Often

Often easier said than done, you might just need to blink more often, especially if you spend a lot of time in front of digital screens. In fact, while sitting in front of a computer, you might blink 50% less, which leaves your eyes without the protective layer of tears it needs. To keep that from happening, you’re going to need to think about blinking, so you can keep your eyes well-lubricated and feeling great at all times.

Want to Explore Other Treatments for Dry Eye?

If lifestyle changes simply don’t cut it in easing your dry eye symptoms, schedule a visit to our Cincinnati, Ohio, optometry clinic with a call to 513-543-5816. During your call, you can find a convenient time to come by our clinic and seek care for your dry eyes. We look forward to helping you improve your eye health, so please feel free to give us a call today.