What Is Dry Eye?

Dry eye syndrome is a common condition caused by a chronic lack of moisture and lubrication on the surface of the eyes. Tears play a critical role in keeping your eyes comfortable and healthy by maintaining moisture, providing lubrication, and washing away dust, debris, and microorganisms. When your tears aren’t doing their job effectively, dry eye symptoms can develop.

What Causes Dry Eye?

Dry eye typically occurs when there is a problem with the quality or quantity of your tears. Healthy tears are made up of three layers: oily, watery, and mucin. If any of these components are lacking or not functioning properly, it can lead to dry eye.

Common tear-related issues include:

• Tear film instability

• Increased tear evaporation

• Insufficient tear production

The only way to accurately determine the cause of your dry eye is through a comprehensive eye exam.

Symptoms of Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry eye symptoms can range from mild to severe and may include:

• Scratchy or gritty sensation

• Burning or stinging

• Itchy eyes

• Aching or sore eyes

• Heavy or fatigued eyes

• Persistent dryness

• Redness

• Blurry vision

• Excessive tearing (a response to dryness)

• Sensitivity to light (photophobia)

Who Gets Dry Eye?

Dry eye can affect people of all ages. Severity and symptom tolerance vary greatly from person to person. Some individuals may experience significant discomfort with mild dry eye, while others with more advanced dry eye may notice fewer symptoms.

Certain factors can increase your risk, including:

• Screen time: Reduced blinking while using computers or digital devices increases tear evaporation

• Smoking: Contributes to eye dryness and other eye health issues

• Aging: Dry eye is more common after age 50, but with increased screen time in our very digital world dry eye is being noticed at younger and younger ages now too. 

• Hormonal Changes & Menopause: Hormonal changes like during pregnancy and all the menopausal stages including postmenopausal 

• Health conditions: Diabetes, thyroid disease, and other medical conditions can contribute

• Medications: Many prescription and over-the-counter medications list dry eye as a side effect

Visiting the Eye Doctor for Dry Eye

An eye exam is the only way to determine whether you have chronic dry eye syndrome. Because symptoms can overlap with other eye conditions, self-diagnosis isn’t reliable. How dry your eyes feel doesn’t always reflect the true medical severity of the condition.

Early diagnosis is key to preventing long-term discomfort and damage to the eye surface.

Dry Eye Treatment Options

Our office offers a wide range of treatment options for all levels of dry eye; from mild irritation to severe, chronic cases. Your treatment plan will be tailored to your specific needs based on the discussion with the eye doctor, your exam results and your lifestyle. Our office also offers Lacrifill™ a revolutionary dry eye treatment. CLICK HERE to read more on Lacrifill™

If you’re experiencing symptoms of dry eye, we encourage you to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. The only way to determine the cause and severity of your dry eye is through a professional eye exam.  CLICK HERE to contact us.