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.