Dr. Michael Lange Unveils the Secrets of Dry Eye

The Symptoms and Effects of Dry Eye

According to Dr. Lange, the symptoms of dry eye are fairly obvious to identify and usually occur in both eyes simultaneously. They include examples such as the following:

• A sensation of itching, burning, or stinging in the eyes
• A sensation of something being stuck in one or both eyes
• Increased sensitivity to light
• Periods of excessive tearing
• The presence of stringy mucus around or in the eyes
• Increased eye fatigue
• Increased eye redness
• Blurring vision
• Worsening vision after prolonged periods of focus or at the end of the day
• Increased irritation due to wind or smoke
• Increased difficulty putting in, taking out, and wearing contact lenses

If severe cases of dry eye are allowed to remain untreated for too long, says Dr. Lange, the effects on the eye could be disastrous. Potential results of chronic, untreated dry eye include the following:

• Serious visual impairment
• Reduced production of tears
• Increased risk of eye infection
• Permanent scarring and other damage to the front of the eye

The Causes of Dry Eye

One of the leading causes of dry eye is a lack of proper hydration. According to Dr. Michael Lange, the majority of people are dehydrated to some degree, with studies indicating that 75 percent of all Americans exhibit some form of dehydration. This makes it a factor in many different medical issues of varying degrees of severity, including chronic dry eye.

Dry eyes may also be the result of improper nutrition, as there is a direct link between eye health and nutrient intake just as there is a link between all forms of health and nutrition. In addition, adds Dr. Lange, dry eye symptoms may be exacerbated by improper eye care and cleaning.

Dr. Michael Lange Shares Natural Methods for Treating and Preventing Dry Eye

While dry eye may stem from a number of problems and come with a number of symptoms, treating and preventing dry eye can prove surprisingly simple. Below, Dr. Lange shares his professional insider advice, based on his experience, for how to prevent long-term ocular damage through better eye health and maintenance.

Stay Properly Hydrated

“One natural and easy approach to treating dry eyes,” says Dr. Lange, “is to keep properly hydrated throughout the day. Not only will this increase your eye health, it will also have the added benefit of making you healthier and leaving you feeling better overall.”

The easiest way to stay hydrated is, of course, to drink plenty of water. Dr. Lange recommends spring water and coconut water over simple tap water for optimal results. “Spring water typically contains higher concentrations of beneficial minerals than tap water,” he explains, “as well as fewer chemicals such as chlorine and aluminum. Glass bottles are also preferential over plastic bottles for this same reason. Plastic bottles can leak their chemicals into the water itself, making glass much safer.”

As for coconut water, Dr. Lange explains that it can help provide an even bigger boost to hydration and eye health. “Many types of dry eye are caused by a potassium deficiency,” he explains, “while staying hydrated is easier with plenty of electrolytes. Organic coconut water is rich in potassium and electrolytes, making it an effective and natural alternative to commercial sports drinks when it comes to staying hydrated.”

Keep Eyes Clean

Dry eye can also be caused, and exacerbated, by unclean eyes. “Microbial flora on unwashed eyelids can block your meibomian glands, which in turn makes it harder to produce a healthy tear film,” explains Dr. Lange. “Keeping your eyes clean and moistened can prevent this from happening as well as remove potential eye irritants.”

Dr. Lange recommends regularly and lightly scrubbing eyelids and eyelashes with a good microbial cleanser such as Cliradex or Ocusoft. Next, heat the meibomian glands with a warm wash cloth for up to 15 minutes two times a day for healthier tear secretion. Finally, keep eyes moistened as needed with a lubricating eye drop that contains hyluranic acid for long-lasting effectiveness.

Supplement Diets with Better Eye Nutrition

Eye nutrition, like all nutrition, requires the right amount of the right vitamins and nutrients to maintain. “One of the most important nutrients when it comes to eye health is omega 3, which can be easily found in fish oil supplements,” explains Dr. Lange. “Other useful nutrients for dry eye sufferers include astaxanthin, lutein, and zeaxanthin.”

All of these nutrients are available in Dr. Lange’s Fortifeye Vitamins for those individuals who want the best eye nutrition possible in a simple, easy-to-use package.

This is the lab where the amounts of fatty acids are determined n each batch of fish oil

Dr. Lange is an optometrist who has long understood the connection between healthy nutrition and healthy eyesight, and thus strongly believes in nutritional intervention. He is the owner and head doctor of the optometry clinic Lange Eye Care and Associates as well as the developer of Fortifeye Vitamins, which are currently used by eye doctors across the world. When combined with a proper diet and exercise schedule, says Dr. Michael Lange, his vitamins can help slow down and prevent damage and disease in the eye, resulting in healthier and longer-lasting vision.