This happens for one of two reasons; either decreased tear production (aqueous tear deficiency) or increased tear film evaporation (evaporative dry eye).
These symptoms are generally worse in winter, after extended computer use or reading, at the end of the day, and while outside in the wind. Dry eye can interfere with your daily activities and can even lead to other problems such as corneal ulcers, corneal scarring, and even blindness if left untreated.
Tears are more complex than most people know. They are actually made up of three components: oil, water and mucus. These three components must remain perfectly balanced in order for your tears to effectively coat the eye. The water component keeps the eye from drying out, the oil component prevents the water from evaporating and the mucus helps spread the tears evenly over the eye’s surface. Dry eye can occur because your tear ducts do not produce enough tears or because the components of the tears are poorly balanced.
Dry eye is common but is often misdiagnosed or un-diagnosed. Diagnosis can be tricky and should be performed by a doctor with extensive experience with the disease, such as Dr. Dudee. Treatment options can range from over-the- counter eye drops to punctal plugs. Punctal plugs are tiny silicone plugs used to close the channel that lets tears drain away from the eye in order to conserve those tears to better lubricate the eye. For evaporative dry eye, Dr. Dudee might have patients use a warm compress over the eye or undergo a special procedure used to unclog the meibomian glands, which are the glands that help produce oil.
The best way to prevent Dry Eye Disease is to have annual eye exams. Please contact Medical Vision Institute immediately if you notice a decline in your vision or if you experience dry eye symptoms.
If left untreated, Dry Eye Disease can progress into a condition called chronic keratoconjunctivitis. This condition not only may cause serious irritation, but can also cause worsened vision and/or vision fluctuations. Very severe cases may even lead to loss of sight due to corneal scarring. Delaying treatment is not recommended. Please contact Medical Vision Institute if you believe you are experiencing symptoms of Dry Eye Disease.
Those who experience Dry Eye Disease may feel as if they have gritty irritation or burning in their eyes. They may also experience reflex tearing from corneal inflammation. The MVI team will review your symptoms and history and do an examination to determine the cause and best treatment for your dry eyes.
Dry eye can be caused due to age, which is the most common reason. Reduced tear production is a natural part of aging. Dry Eyes can also be caused by hormonal changes, medications, environmental changes, or other medical conditions.
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