Dry Eye Therapy

Irritated, Uncomfortable Eyes

We use our eyes all day long, but we rarely think of them—unless they’re uncomfortable, and then they’re all we think about.

Dry eye is a chronic, common, and uncomfortable condition, impacting more than 16 million Americans. Not only is it irritating, but it can really put a damper on your daily activities. Dry eye can decrease your quality of life and hinder productivity.

But, relief is available! Book an exam today for a comprehensive eye exam to diagnose your dry eye. While some cases of dry eye are mild, it can be a chronic condition and may lead to long-term infections and eye damage down the road. Anytime your eyes are uncomfortable, it’s best to pay us a visit and rule out more worrisome conditions.

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Symptoms of Dry Eye

Dry eye symptoms generally occur in both eyes at the same time and can include:

Stinging or burning
Gritty or scratchy feeling
Foreign body sensation
Red or watery eyes
Blurry vision
Sensitivity to light
Eye fatigue
Stringy mucus in or around your eyes
Discomfort when wearing contacts

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, book your appointment to find relief today.

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Dry eye is exactly what it sounds like—it occurs when your eyes aren’t producing enough lubrication to keep them moist and comfortable.

The first—and most common—occurs when the tears are of poor quality. The second occurs when the eyes simply don’t produce enough tears.

Poor Quality Tears

Good quality tears depend on a balanced and effective tear film. The tear film is made up of 3 layers—a mucus layer to spread the tears over the surface of the eye, a water layer to hydrate the eye, and an oil layer to keep the water from evaporating too quickly. If there’s an imbalance in the tear film, dry eye can result.

The tiny glands along the top and bottom edges of the eyelids, called the meibomian glands, are responsible for producing the oil layer of your tear film. Blockages in these glands can cause a reduction in the amount of oil produced, leading to dry eye.

When we diagnose your dry eye, we’ll also look at the condition of your meibomian glands and recommend treatment options if they’re not functioning properly.

Decreased Tear Production

Reasons for decreased tear production are varied and might include:

Normal aging
Medications such as antihistamines or antidepressants
Medical conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or Sjögren’s Syndrome
Lacking vitamin A or omega-3 fatty acids in your diet
Hormonal changes

When the meibomian glands are not producing enough oil, meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) or blepharitis may be the cause.

Blepharitis occurs as a result of inflammation in and around the eyelids. Sore, red eyelids with crusty eyelashes are telltale signs of blepharitis.

Eyelid hygiene is important for keeping blepharitis at bay. Debris and bacteria along the eyelid margins can multiply and create an environment for mites to thrive, leading to more mites and eyelid inflammation.

Too much inflammation can block the meibomian glands, interfering with the production of your tear film’s oil layer.

Dry eye and blepharitis occur alongside one another frequently so treating the inflammation can help determine which condition is the root cause of the dryness. If you notice red eyelids, crusty eyelashes, or dry eye symptoms, it’s time to book an appointment for a dry eye diagnostic.