Dry Eye Syndrome
Do your eyes feel dry and gritty? Itchy and burning? Are your contacts uncomfortable?
Dry Eye Syndrome is a condition that effects 19 million Americans. It is a condition that is not only irritating, but also unhealthy.
If you think you suffer from Dry Eye Syndrome, make an appointment with our qualified team. If you’d like to learn more, read on.
What are the common symptoms of dry eye?
Everyone experiences dry eye differently because there are so many potential underlying causes.
Typical symptoms include:
- Redness or eyes that appear irritated and bloodshot
- Consistent burning or tingling sensations in the eyes
- Eyes that feel itchy or as if they have something in them
- Increased sensitivity to bright lights or sunlight
- Excessive tearing, or eyes that always appear watery
What causes dry eye?
There are many potential causes of dry eye.
In some cases, the cause is obvious, such as environmental irritants or short-term inflammation.
Eyeclectic is equipped with the OCULUS Keratograph® 5M, an advanced tool that maps eye tissue and analyzes the quality of the tear layers.
Some of the other causes of chronic dry eye problems include:
- Disease of the meibomian glands
- Blepharitis
- Allergies
- Defects that affect the eyelid or shape of the eye
- Certain medications
- Abnormal eye pressure
- Deficiency of aqueous fluids
Because the underlying causes vary, treatment methods after diagnosis will also vary according to the patient. It is also not uncommon for there to be more than one cause for dry eye.
How is dry eye diagnosed and treated?
Through imaging of the meibomian glands, measuring osmolarity of the tear film, and screening for certain conditions, we are able to diagnose and provide treatment for the condition.
Some of the typical treatments include:
- Prescription eye drops to combat inflammation
- Treating oil glands
- Blinking exercises or proper eyelid hygiene
To treat the most common cause of dry eye—meibomian gland disease—we may recommend Lipiflow®, a proven and non-invasive treatment to restore the natural moisture balance to your eyes or Prokera®, a corneal healing lens that delivers powerful bioactive compounds.
If an infection is causing the issue, low-dose antibiotics may also be prescribed.
Dry eyes are not only uncomfortable — they can also be bad for the health of your eyes. Book an appointment at Eyeclectic™ Vision Source to find relief.