Dry eyes are not just uncomfortable; if left untreated, dry eyes may result in corneal damage. If you suffer from dry eyes, Eyesis Eyecare Center is here to help. We will work with you to identify the root cause of your dry eyes and craft a tailored treatment plan that goes beyond symptom relief.
For more information about dry eyes, and which treatment options are best for you, please speak to your optometrist during your next appointment.
The Causes of Dry Eyes
Dry eyes have two main root causes: inadequate tear volume and poor quality tears. Our eyes require tears to stay comfortable and lubricated, so when our tear glands and eyelids are unable to produce enough tears, or our tears are of poor quality, our eyes become irritated and dry.
There are several different glands in and around our eyelids that are responsible for producing tears. As we age, our eyes may not be able to produce as many tears as they once did. Certain medical conditions and medications can also interfere with tear production.
Tears are made up of three main ingredients: oil (called meibum), water, and mucin. Meibum is the outer layer of the tear film and is responsible for creating a protective barrier over the eye, which prevents tears from evaporating too quickly. Mucin is the inner layer of the tear film and helps our tears spread evenly across the entire surface of the eye. When our tears evaporate too quickly or are not uniformly distributed, it can lead to dry eyes.
Dry eyes may also be caused by environmental factors, such as wind, which can cause our tears to evaporate too rapidly.
Dry Eye Symptoms
Dry eye symptoms may include:
- Irritated or burning eyes
- A gritty or foreign body sensation in the eyes
- Red eyes
- Tired eyes
- Blurry vision
- Light sensitivity
- Excessive glare, particularly during nighttime driving
Dry Eye Therapy at Eyesis Eyecare Center
Before we can determine how to treat your dry eyes, we need to conduct a complete dry eye assessment. These comprehensive tests utilize cutting edge equipment to uncover the root cause of your dry eyes.
You do not need to suffer from dry eyes.
We use a variety of treatments to address and manage dry eyes. These include:
- Nutritional Supplements: Research has shown that a healthy diet plays a significant role in promoting and maintaining eye health. Certain nutrients can even help reduce dry eye symptoms and signs, including inflammation. By choosing foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish, nuts, soybeans, seeds, and green leafy vegetables, you may be able to increase the amount of meibum your eyelids produce.
A thorough and wide-reaching study (the AREDS2 study) determined that consuming omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, zeaxanthin, and zinc, can improve your overall ocular health. - BlephEx: Dry eyes can be caused by blepharitis, which is an inflammation of the eyelid margins that causes a crusty buildup made of debris and bacteria to form along the lid line, causing irritation.
BlephEx is an in-office treatment that uses a small, hand-held device to gently clean and exfoliate your eyelid margins, removing the debris that has built up and relieving your symptoms.
For more information about dry eyes, and to determine which treatment options are best for you, please speak to your optometrist.
