Dry Eye or Eye Allergy... Which is it?
Baton Rouge eye doctor can help you tell the difference between dry eyes and allergies
Patients often tell me their eyes are frequently watering and burning, and then they usually proceed to say, "It must just be allergies." Then they stop talking, as if they must accept this and that there's nothing that can be done about it. Well if it is indeed allergies, I can treat your symptoms to get you feeling better. But more often than not, the patient is not dealing with allergies at all. They are suffering from dry eyes! Of course there are more complicated patients that are suffering from both. The good news is we can help all of these patients.
The first question I ask a patient is if they have more burning or more itching. Burning is usually a sign of dryness, and itching typically means allergy. Both conditions can be managed to keep the patient comfortable, but you first have to know the cause behind the symptoms. The instrument in the picture above is called a slit lamp. It's nothing more than a fancy microscope. Your eye doctor will use the slit lamp to observe the conjunctiva and cornea for signs of either dryness or allergies. After a proper diagnosis, the proper, individualized treatment can be initiated. Your eye doctor is there to help. Never assume you have to suffer through the symptoms. We'd love the opportunity to show you our expertise at Focal Point Eye Care.







