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There is no known cure for dry eye, but your eyes can be made less sensitive and measures can be taken to ensure that your eyes remain healthy. Room humidifiers, spectacle side shields, and moist chambers will all help your eyes feel better, no matter how serious your symptoms are.
In most cases, regular use of over-the-counter artificial tears will alleviate the dry, stinging, burning sensation. These tears mimic the composition of natural tears and provide soothing relief. To learn more about artificial tears, go to the product pages for GenTeal® and HypoTears®.
An alternative to artificial tears is a lubricating ointment, which is used for more severe cases. Because such ointments can interfere with vision, they are best used at bedtime.
GenTeal Gel® is used for more severe cases of dry eye or simply when a patient requires a longer-lasting artificial tear. GenTeal Gel contains Carabopol 980, an ingredient that aids the transformation of the gel into a liquid upon contact with the eye.
In some cases, a physician may insert small plugs in the corner of your eyelids to slow drainage and loss of tears.
To keep dry-eye symptoms in check, you and your practitioner need to work together. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. If you have increased dryness or redness that is not relieved by the prescribed treatment, report this to your doctor as soon as possible.
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