Can You Overuse Eye Drops For Dry Eyes?

Dry Eyes

Ptosis If you have ever suffered from dry eyes, you know that dry eyes can be not only annoying and cumbersome but genuinely disruptive. From making it difficult to looking at your computer screen to making it impossible to focus on anything else, dry eyes are a genuine issue. Which is why no one would blame you if you’ve been using eye drops, but as you may have guessed if you’ve been using eye drops for too long since the amount you’ve been using or the frequency of use has gone up, prolonged eye drop use can lead to issues. Eye drops are meant to be a temporary fix to a short-lived issue. If you fear you’ve been overusing eye drops then keep reading to learn about the consequences and what you can do!

Eye Drops Can Worsen Your Dry Eyes

Some eye drops work by constricting the blood vessels to help alleviate eye redness and irritation. But, prolonged use of these eye drops can actually cause a rebound effect where your body sends a strong dilation response to your blood vessels in the eye. This causes eye redness and irritation, potentially even more than the initial redness or irritation and dryness.

Eye Drops Can Dry Out Your Natural Tears

There is an oily tear film over your eyes that helps tears stick to them and keep your eyes well-lubricated which is imperative for proper function and health of the eye. With extended eye drop usage and if the oily tear film dries out, your natural lubrication system dries out as well due to evaporation. This can create a feedback loop where your dry eyes are worse than before you started using eye drops!

What Can I Do If Not Use Eye Drops? 

Luckily, Dr. Murrell is here to help with LipiFlow. Typically requiring just a single, painless treatment that takes around 20 minutes, Dr. Murrell and LipiFlow are able to address dry eyes. Even if LipiFlow is not the solution for you, a consultation with Dr. Murrell may be what you need. Eye drops can be a fantastic temporary treatment, if you’ve been using eye drops for a long time, chances are they’ve been covering up a different issue that needs medical attention. If you’re looking for eye relief, give us a call at 806-351-1177!

Contact Us For All Your Health Related Queries!

Panhandle Eye Group Subspecialists

7411 Wallace Blvd
Amarillo, TX 79106

(806) 351-1177

Amarillo Cataract & Eye Surgery Center

7310 Fleming Ave
Amarillo, TX 79106

(806) 354-8891

Office Hours

We offer earlier morning appointment starting at 7:40am for those who choose to come in at an earlier convince. Our phone hours are as posted.

Monday
8:15 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
8:15 am - 4:30 pm
Wednesday
8:15 am - 4:30 pm
Thursday
8:15am - 12:30pm
Friday
Closed

Send us a Message

Accessibility Toolbar

There is an upcoming solar eclipse that is taking place on April 8th.

 

We recommend that viewers do not look directly at the sun when outside and that eye protection must be worn at all times.

Close

This is the latest IOL for Dr. Murrell's cataract practice. The LAL is the first IOL that can be adjusted after the surgery. Dr. Murrell can customize your IOL so that you can have the vision that you desire.

The LAL is a premium IOL which will not be covered under your medical insurance hence will have to pay for this IOL.

 

What's coming to Dr. Murrell's practice in the next few months.
Embrace with Accutite and Facetite and Morpheus Prime and Morpheus8

Accutite and Facetite: - These are FDA approved cosmetic devices that can melt fat and mildly tighten skin. It requires only a small opening in the skin. The Accutite is for small areas such as the upper and lower eyelids. The Facetite is for the larger areas of the face such as the jowls, neck, and nasolabial folds.

Morpheus Prime and Morpheus 8 - These are FDA approved cosmetic devices that are applied to the skin to tighten the skin and collagen underneath the skin. The Morpheus Prime is for smaller areas smaller areas such as the upper and lower eyelids. the Morpheus8 is for the larger areas of the face. Both Morpheus Prime and Morpheus 8 takes 3 treatments spaced 4 weeks apart from each other.

The Accutite and Morpheus Prime can both be performed to the eyelids to maximize the cosmetic effect. Likewise, the Facetite and Morpheus8 can both be performed to maximize the cosmetic effect.

The Embrace is the device that rungs the Accutite, Facetite, Morpheus8, and Morpheus Prime. These treatments are not covered by insurance. The patient will have to pay for the procedure.

What's New in Dr. Murrell Practice in 2023

Light adjustable IOl (LAL) for Cataract Patients

Close
Scroll to Top