Dry Eye Treatment

Dry eye is a condition where your eyes don’t produce enough quality tears to lubricate and nourish them. 

Tears help maintain your eye health and keep your vision clear. Tears provide lubrication, reduce the risk of eye infection, wash away foreign matter in the eye, and keep the surface of your eyes smooth and clear. When tear production and drainage are out of balance, dry eyes can occur.   

What Causes Dry Eye?  

Dry eye is often a result of your eyes’ natural aging process. Most people’s eyes tend to become drier as they age, but the degree of dryness varies, and some people have more problems than others. In addition to age, dry eye can result from: 

  • Problems with normal blinking 
  • Certain medications like antihistamines, oral contraceptives, and antidepressants 
  • Environmental factors like a dry climate and exposure to wind 
  • General health problems like arthritis or Sjogren’s syndrome 
  • Chemical or thermal burns to the eye 

 

What are the Symptoms of Dry Eye?  

Dry eye symptoms often vary from person to person, but the following symptoms are the most common:

  • Irritated, scratchy, dry, or uncomfortable eyes 
  • Redness of the eyes 
  • A burning sensation in the eyes 
  • Feeling like something’s stuck in your eye
  • Blurred vision 
  • Excessive watering as the eyes try to compensate for dryness
  • Eyes that seem to have lost their normal clear glassy luster 

 

How Is Dry Eye Treated? 

If left untreated, dry eye can be more than just irritating or uncomfortable. Severe dry eye can damage eye tissue and possibly scar the cornea, so it is important to seek out treatment from a qualified optometrist. People with dry eyes may also have difficulty wearing contact lenses due to the possibility of increased irritation and infection.

 

If you are experiencing the symptoms of dry eye, your Lawrenceville Family Eyecare optometrist can perform tests using diagnostic instruments to get a highly magnified view and evaluate the quality, amount, and distribution of your tears. While there’s no cure for dry eye, we can prescribe treatment to help you maintain your overall eye health, reduce discomfort and dryness, and prevent vision problems. 

 

Contact our office today to learn how we can help you treat dry eye syndrome and get well on your way to clear, comfortable vision.