Dr. Amber Teten – Chesapeake Eye Doctor – Dry Eye Specialist

If you have lived in Chesapeake for any length, you probably have experienced the dreaded feeling of having dry and itchy eyes. Are there times you want to rub your eyes and pray for a Dry Eye treatment in Chesapeake to work? But then you remember being told not to touch your eyes as a kid. So, what is a person to do? Let’s see what Dr. Teten, a dry eye specialist in Chesapeake, says about itchy eyes.

Where exactly is the itch on your eyes?

First, a question that an optometrist, such as Dr. Teten, will ask to start your Chesapeake Dry Eye treatment is, “Where do your eyes itch?” For example, your eyes may itch in the corners near your nose, your eyes may itch all around, or your eyes may itch more on the eyelids. Wow! Who knew itching eyes was so complex? So, what does location have to do with helping those itchy eyes? The symptoms, along with the signs seen, help the optometrist, such as Dr. Teten, to recommend a custom Dry Eye treatment for you.

What causes itching eyes?

There are many reasons for itchy, irritated, and uncomfortable eyes. Here is a list of some of the reasons causing those symptoms:

• Allergies
• Hypersensitivity
• Dry Eye Disease
• Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
• Conjunctivitis
• Keratoconus

Allergies are a common reason for experiencing itching and irritation of the eyes, which are often caused by seasonalities, pet dander, or cosmetics. These allergens cause a histamine response inside the eye, which causes all the discomfort you experience. Sometimes the allergic response can be severe enough, especially in pediatrics, to cause the eyelids to be swollen and red. Allergic conjunctivitis, or ocular allergies, is prevalent in young children and people with other conditions, such as asthma and eczema.

Hypersensitivity to something foreign in or around the eye can occur. There can be a hypersensitivity reaction inside the eye due to a contact lens solution used to store and clean the contact lenses. Dr. Teten recommends patients use Opti-Free Puremoist, Biotrue, or RevitaLens contact lens solutions to clean their contact lenses. One of the best treatments for this type of irritation is being fitted in daily disposable contact lenses at your comprehensive eye exam. It is crucial to have a contact lens fitting by an optometrist, preferably a dry eye specialist, each year to recognize these signs and symptoms and find the best contact lens for your eyes.

Dry Eye Disease is a complex disease causing various symptoms, including dry, itchy, watery, redness, burning, foreign body sensation, gritty, or ache. Sometimes, you might even have a dry eye condition. However, you may experience no symptoms. The only indicator of having a dry eye condition is the signs the optometrist can see in the microscope.

A dry eye condition is, in fact, a disease. The positive side is that there is a wealth of effective Dry Eye treatments, even in Chesapeake. Along with ways to monitor and see how successful your treatment is with a dry eye specialist, like Dr. Teten. By not treating a dry eye disease, symptoms or no symptoms can lead to eye discomfort, cornea scarring, inability to wear contact lenses, and even decreased vision—ultimately hampering your ability to enjoy the life you want.

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction is a condition that often causes ocular irritation, itching, and redness. This condition is diagnosed by a comprehensive eye exam using a microscope to examine the eyes and eyelids. A dry eye specialist like Dr. Teten can diagnose and treat such a condition and help your eyes to feel much more comfortable. The treatment for this condition is usually a lifestyle change, not a quick fix.

Conjunctivitis, or inflammation of the conjunctiva, can cause red, itchy, watery eyes. This eye condition is often termed “pink eye” in the general population. The tricky thing is that not all seemingly “pink eyes” are the same; therefore, they do not require the same treatment each time. Dr. Teten cannot stress enough the importance of scheduling a visit with an optometrist to be seen when these symptoms arise. An optometrist is more skilled and experienced in diagnosing the type of conjunctivitis (aka “pink eye”) and treating accordingly – allowing you to feel better soon. Please avoid urgent care centers for “pink eye” and call us at Navigation Eye Care. We always have a spot on our schedule to see you with these symptoms.

Keratoconus is a corneal disease causing steepening and thinning of the front of the eye tissue, called the cornea. One classic symptom of keratoconus is a constant need to rub the eyes. This condition is more prevalent with connective tissue disorders, eczema, and asthma. Keratoconus is a disease that can be diagnosed and treated by an optometrist.

What to do about the itch?

You might have visited the store searching for the perfect anti-itch eye drop to soothe those pesky symptoms. If you did, you would find so many options of eye drops that it is quite confusing to know what drop to choose. So, what should you do? It is simple! Visit our dry eye specialist, Dr. Teten, at Navigation Eye Care to work together and find the best Dry Eye Treatment for you. Navigation Eye Care strives to make attention and treatment of your eyes our priority. We want your eyes to be the healthiest and happiest!

Suppose you or your child are experiencing eye symptoms such as itchy, burning, or dry eyes. In that case, we encourage you to call the Navigation Eye Care team at 757-529-6889 or schedule an appointment and start your journey toward a Dry Eye treatment. We are equipped and prepared to take care of you and your children. If you are looking for excellent service in a kid-friendly manner, check us out. We highly recommend that you choose Navigation Eye Care when looking for a top dry eye specialist in Chesapeake for all your family’s eye care needs. We will serve in the Chesapeake area for many years and can’t wait to see you and your family.