Sinus Infection And Dry Eyes

Treatment For Dry Eye Disease

Treatment for dry eye is commonly through lubricating eye drops, also known as tear supplements or artificial tears. Although the formulation of such drops has evolved over the years to provide much better relief for dry eye symptoms, they all work on the basis of supplementing and stabilizing the existing tear film. More recently, dry eye treatments have looked to how we can actually boost the eyes tear production rather than just adding more liquid to it from a bottle. Cyclosporin is one such available treatment, a prescription eye drop shown to enhance production of natural tears.

However, there can be reasons why an individual may be deterred from using eye drops to treat their dry eye. Patients already using frequent eye drops for other conditions, such as glaucoma, those wearing contact lenses, or people who are simply not good at aiming something at their own eye, may prefer a different method of dry eye treatment enter, your nose.

How Long Do Sinus Infections Or Sinusitis Last

Sinusitis or sinus infections usually clear up if treated early and appropriately. Aside from those who develop complications, the outlook for acute sinusitis is good. People may develop chronic sinusitis or have recurrent attacks of acute sinusitis if they have allergic or structural causes for their sinusitis.

Home Remedies To Relieve Pressure Behind Your Eye

Feeling pressure behind your eye is uncomfortable, no matter the cause. There are a couple of ways you can relieve the pressure at home easily.

• Over-the-counter medications: Anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen can help reduce the pain and the inflammation thats causing it.
• Eye drops: Very often, you need a prescription for eye drops. Ask your pharmacist what options you have. You may find over-the-counter eye drops that reduce swelling or itchiness. Do not put essential oils in your eye to relieve the pressure.
• Cold compress: Putting a cold compress on your eye can be a welcome remedy if youre feeling heat and pain around your eye. Its especially helpful when youve experienced a face injury.
• Blindfold: If youre experiencing sensitivity to light, a blindfold or eye patch can help temporarily.

If you feel pressure behind your eye because of an infection, you may need antibiotics or antiviral medication. You can get a prescription for these from a doctor.

Also Check: Over The Counter Sinus Allergy Relief

What Really Causes Dry Eye

Dry eye is ultimately due to 2 factors: low tear quality or low tear quantity. Without the right amount of tears or without the right tear composition, your eyes will ultimately end up feeling dry and irritated. A number of factors can cause dry eye. You might be familiar with some of the well-known causes like contact lenses, but you might not know how many other factors can lead to dry eye.

Can A Sinus Infection Affect Your Eye

HomeDon’t know your problem?SmartDocAIStart Your Care

Can a Sinus Infection Affect Your Eye?

Absolutely! Sinusitis, otherwise called a sinus infection, occurs when pesky bacteria and viruses invade the sinus cavities located in the face. These spaces in the face can fill with mucous, and that mucous can become infected. Youll know when you have a sinus infection because the sinus cavities will be filled with fluids and youll feel pressure around them. Sinus Infections can affect your eyes in a few different ways.

One of the hallmark symptoms of a sinus infection is feeling pressure build up in your face. You may even feel pressure behind your eyes. Thats because, all the sinus areas Frontal, Ethmoid, Sphenoid, and Maxillary, sort of surround the eyes anatomically. The Ethmoid sinuses are located at the nose bridge and extend down the nose on each side of the nose, directly beside each eye. The Frontal sinus extends to the nose bridge above each eyebrow.

Our SmartDocMD online physicians currently offer diagnosis and sinus infection treatment online to anyone in the state of California. Our offices are based in the Bay Area but our service is available throughout the state. We are planning on expanding to other states, so check back for updates.

Also Check: I Think I Have Sinus Infection

Nasal Spray Improves Dry Eye Symptoms Regardless Of Severity

ODell L, et al. Effect of OC-01 nasal spray compared to vehicle on dry eye disease sign outcomes by baseline subgroup characteristics. Presented at: American Academy of Optometry annual meeting Nov. 2-6, 2021 Boston.

Disclosures: We were unable to process your request. Please try again later. If you continue to have this issue please contact .

BOSTON Treatment with OC-01 nasal spray showed significant improvements in dry eye disease signs and symptoms, according to a data review presented at the American Academy of Optometry annual meeting.

Most recently, dry eye diseases have been defined as a multifactorial disease characterized by an unstable or deficient tear film and accompanied by loss of homeostasis therefore, the goal for dry eye should be to reestablish the tear film and restore homeostasis,Leslie ODell, OD, FAAO, clinical director at Medical Optometry America in Shrewsbury, Pa., said during an academy-sponsored press conference.

Leslie O’Dell

To determine the effect of OC-01 on dry eye disease outcomes, ODell and colleagues analyzed integrated data from the ONSET-1 phase 2b and ONSET-2 phase 3 clinical trials.

The proposed mechanism of action of OC-01 nasal spray is to lead to an increase in basal tear production, ODell said.

The mean change was significant regardless of baseline test score severity.

Other treatment-related adverse events included cough and irritation to the throat and instillation site, which occurred in less than 5% of patients.

Find Relief From Dry Sinuses And Nasal Issues Today

Dry sinus can make you uncomfortable and cause other issues that disrupt your daily life. Whether you suffer from dryness due to allergies, dry climate, or another underlying cause, the experienced ENT specialists at Advanced ENT & Allergy know how to get to the root of the problem. Well help you understand the source of your dry sinuses, discuss all of your treatment options, then help you select the treatment that fits your needs and lifestyle. Stop suffering from dry sinuses and find lasting relief with experts in the field.

You May Like: Minute Clinic For Sinus Infection

Sinus Infection And Blurry Vision

Sinus infections can cause more than just pain in the area of the eyes. In fact, sinus infections can cause problems even if you dont feel pain.

Sinus pressure can impact blood circulation to the eyes. Disruption in blood circulation to the eyes causes sudden, patchy blurred vision. A warm compress across the forehead can ease pressure and reduce the swelling. This restores proper circulation of blood to the eyes and the blurry vision is cleared.

Sudden blurry vision can be a symptom of a serious condition and your doctor should always be consulted. It is extremely unlikely but a sinus infection could actually spread into the eye socket, causing an infection that could cause blindness. Dont risk it. See your doctor.

Nasal Neurostimulation For Dry Eye

Ever accidentally pull out a nose hair? The tearing that ensues should be enough to tell you that the eyes and the nose are connected. That the nose runs and gets congested after a good crying session is also testament to the fact that our nasolacrimal system the anatomical machinery responsible for tear production and drainage intimately connects the eyes and the nose.

The benefit of stimulating the bodys natural tear production is significant. Human tears contain over a thousand different components, all supporting the health of the eyes surface and contributing to clear vision. Although artificial tear eye drops add moisture to the eye and many newer formulations mimic some of the compounds found in a real tear film, natural tears also contain various proteins such as growth factors and antibodies that cannot be replicated in an off-the-shelf lubricant.

For many people, dry eye disease can be a debilitating condition with serious impacts on quality of life and finding an effective treatment can be difficult. As our understanding of the complex condition that is dry eye grows alongside our ability to treat it, perhaps this step in the direction of nasal neurostimulation will turn out to be right on the nose.

Also Check: Is Zinc Good For Sinus Infections

Chemical And Environmental Irritants

Many chemicals and products for cleaning, home repair, and more can irritate your nasal passages and sinuses. This can cause you to have dry sinuses, sore throat, dry nose, nosebleeds, or other symptoms similar to allergies. Some chemicals and products that can irritate your sinuses include:

• household cleaning products
• industrial irritants
• paint or varnish fumes

There are many ways you can treat dry sinuses at home to alleviate discomfort caused by seasonal allergies, irritation from chemicals, or drying from medications or dry air. To get relief, you can:

• place a humidifier in your bedroom at night to keep the air from getting too dry
• stop taking drying medications, such as antihistamines
• drink plenty of water to stay hydrated
• get some fresh air if the air in your house is stale or stagnant
• remove as many allergens and irritants from your environment as possible
• irrigate your sinuses with sterile saline using a neti pot or similar product
• use nasal spray to hydrate and lubricate your nasal passages and sinuses
• take a hot shower and inhale the steam

In some cases, your doctor might need to recommend treatment for your dry sinuses. Make an appointment with your doctor if you:

• have an autoimmune disorder like Sjögren syndrome
• are taking prescription medication that causes dry sinuses
• think you might have a sinus infection

Your doctor may:

Forehead Pain And Swelling

An infection of one or both frontal sinuses that spreads to the overlying bone can cause a lump-like swelling of the forehead and possibly the front of the scalp. The swelling is usually limited to one side. This uncommon complication of sinusitis, known as frontal bone osteomyelitis, is rare but serious. Usual accompanying symptoms include fever, pain and tenderness of the involved bone, and frontal headaches. Frontal bone osteomyelitis was previously known as Pott puffy tumor, a misnomer because the condition is caused by infection of the frontal bone rather than a tumor. This complication of infectious sinusitis can develop at any age but is more common in adolescents and young adults than it is in older adults.

• An infection of one or both frontal sinuses that spreads to the overlying bone can cause a lump-like swelling of the forehead and possibly the front of the scalp.

Read Also: Is Ginger Good For Sinus Infection

What Causes Dry Eyes Syndrome

Dry eye syndrome has many causes. One of the most common reasons for dryness is simply the normal aging process. As we grow older, our bodies produce less oil 60% less at age 65 then at age 18. This is more pronounced in women, who tend to have drier skin then men. The oil deficiency also affects the tear film. Without as much oil to seal the watery layer, the tear film evaporates much faster, leaving dry areas on the cornea.

Many other factors, such as hot, dry or windy climates, high altitudes, air-conditioning and cigarette smoke also cause dry eyes. Many people also find their eyes become irritated when reading or working on a computer. Stopping periodically to rest and blink keeps the eyes more comfortable.

Contact lens wearers may also suffer from dryness because the contacts absorb the tear film, causing proteins to form on the surface of the lens. Certain medications, thyroid conditions, vitamin A deficiency, and diseases such as Parkinsons and Sjogrens can also cause dryness. Women frequently experience problems with dry eyes as they enter menopause because of hormonal changes.

What Causes Dry Nose And Sinuses

Mucous membranes, which line the sinuses and keep them moist, make mucus that is supposed to easily flow through the nasal passageways. This moves out debris, including bacteria. However, dry conditions can prevent mucus from flowing freely and may lead to problems.

If you live in a dry area, and/or have certain health conditions, your mucous membranes may be prone to drying out. Health conditions that may lead to dry nose and sinuses include:

• Sjogren syndrome, a long-term condition that can cause dry eyes, throat, and mouth, as well as joint pain
• Dehydration, which is when the body loses too much water
• Allergies, which can occur when the body overreacts to a substance it views as harmful

Read Also: How Long Does Sinus Surgery Take

Which Specialties Of Doctors Treat Sinus Infections And Sinusitis

• Sinusitis is often first diagnosed by a general practitioner, primary care physician, or internal medicine physician. A pediatrician may diagnose sinus infections in children.
• If sinusitis is chronic or severe, you may be referred to an otolaryngologist, also called an ear, nose, and throat specialist . If your sinusitis is caused by allergies, you may be referred to an allergist.
• If you experience an emergency due to your sinusitis, go to the Emergency Department at the nearest hospital.

Dry Eyes Nasal Congestion Runny Nose And Sneezing

• Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Reviewed on 8/31/2020

Eye problems are common symptoms of upper respiratory conditions including allergic reactions like hay fever or reactions to indoor allergens. Conditions that cause sinus infections may also affect the eyes. If these symptoms do not go away or you are concerned, seek the advice of your doctor.

While the list below can be considered as a guide to educate yourself about these conditions, this is not a substitute for a diagnosis from a health care provider. There are many other medical conditions that also can be associated with your symptoms and signs. Here are a number of those from MedicineNet:

Recommended Reading: Sinus Graft For Dental Implants

Common Symptoms And Signs Of Sinus Infections

Signs and symptoms of sinus infections depend upon the sinuses that are affected, and whether the sinus infection is acute or chronic.

Common Sinus Infection Symptoms and Signs

• Stuffy nose or congestion

5 Chronic Sinusitis Symptoms

Chronic sinusitis may have many of the same symptoms as acute sinusitis, but the symptoms last longer or are more severe. In addition, people with chronic sinusitis may also experience multiple symptoms, for example:

Ingredients In Sinuvil Sinus Formula

Sinuvil Sinus Formula contains natural ingredients from plants, trees or herbs.Sinuvil’s gentle herbal formula helps stimulate the immune system and activate natural killer cells enabling the body’s own defense mechanism.*

Don’t Miss: How To Get Rid Of A Sinus Migraine Fast

Order Today And Receieve

REFERENCESDISCLAIMER:

Increase Your Fluid Intake

Drinking more fluids, specifically water, may help to thin out mucus. This may reduce the stuffed or clogged feeling in your nose and sinuses. It may also be helpful to limit alcohol, which can dehydrate you and dry you out even more.

Try to drink more water during the summertime, when temperatures rise, and when you engage in physical activity. If plain water isn’t appealing to you, try adding a lemon to your water, drink flavored water, or try an electrolyte beverage.

Sleeping with a humidifier, a machine that adds moisture to the air, may help:

• Keep your mucous membranes moist
• Ease some breathing issues

Most humidifiers need distilled water or frequent cleaning in order to keep bacteria from growing in the system. You can also consider purchasing a more expensive self-cleaning humidifier.

Humidifiers can be added to your heating/cooling system. This is the most expensive option, but it allows you to control the humidity levels in your home year round.

Also Check: Is Claritin D Good For Sinus Congestion