Dry Eyes Driving You Crazy? Find Relief for Dry Eyes in This Month’s VSP EnVision Newsletter “Ask The Eye Doc” Column with Dr. Michelle

Q. Lately my eyes have become dry and scratchy feeling when I blink. How can I soothe my irritated eyes?

A. Every time you blink, your healthy eyes get a bath from a fluid that’s a combination of oil, water, and mucus. This fluid, or tears, helps protect and moisturize the eyes. When something irritates your eyes or interferes with the production of tears, it can result in irritated dry eyes that are vulnerable to corneal abrasions.

Dry eyes are actually very common. More than 20 million Americans suffer from this annoying and sometimes painful condition. If you think you have dry eyes, check out some of these common symptoms and possible causes. Once you understand the culprit, you can begin to make changes to relieve your burning eyes, once and for all.

Symptoms of Dry Eyes:

• Dry, itchy, or burning eyes
• A scratching sensation, or feeling like there’s grit in the eyes
• Sensitivity to light causing squinting and blinking
• Difficulty focusing because of dryness
• Both eyes are usually affected
• Watery eyes (a little known fact!)

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Having problems seeing at night? Dr. Michelle of Urban Optiques discusses how to improve your night vision in this month’s VSP EnVision Newsletter.

Read all of this month’s VSP EnVision Newsletter. To subscribe to the monthly newsletter, go here.

Should You Be Worried About Seeing Dark Spots or “Floaters” in Your Vision? Dr. Michelle Answers the Question in this Month’s VSP EnVision Newsletter “Ask the Eye Doc” Feature.

What does it mean if you are experiencing dark spots or “floaters” in your vision?

That was the question posed in this month’s “Ask The Eye Doctor” column in the VSP EnVision Newsletter:

Q:  What Are Those Dark Spots I’m Seeing in My Eyes?

While “floaters” are actually quite common, you’ll want to read Dr. Michelle’s entire explanation in the VSP EnVision Newsletter to understand why spots or floaters develop, the current treatments available for them, and when a visual disturbance warrants a trip to the optometrist.

You can view the complete response here.