What is Dry Eye Syndrome?
Dry eye is a common condition that occurs when the eyes are insufficiently moisturized, leading to itching, redness and pain from dry spots on the surface of the eye. The eyes may become dry and irritated because the tear ducts don’t produce enough tears, or because of a chemical imbalance in the tears that prevents the tears from dong their job.
Patients with this condition often experience irritating symptoms and which may result in more serious damage to the vision if the condition is left untreated. It is important for patients with this condition to take special care of their eyes in order to alleviate symptoms and prevent complications. There are factors which may make you more susceptible to developing dry eye syndrome. Ageing, Laser eye surgery, diabetes, scleroderma and other medical conditions, medications such as birth control antihistamines, and antidepressants, blinking less often, and blepharitis.
Symptoms Of Dry Eye
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you may be suffering from Dry Eye:
- Foreign body sensation
- Dryness
- Gritty sensation
- Excessive tears
- Stringy mucus in and around eyes
- Eye Redness
- Glare and Halos around lights
- Stinging or burning
- Difficulty wearing contact lenses
What Tools Are Used to Diagnose Dry Eye?
A comprehensive baseline dry eye exam is necessary to determine the causes of a patient’s ocular surface symptoms and to test how well the current tear film is functioning in protecting the patient’s eyes. Many technological advancements have occurred in both diagnosing and treating dry eye disease; therefore patients need to understand why each treatment is prescribed.
- Tests include: Tear volume measurements ( Schirmer test), Tear dye test (Fluorescein), Meibomian gland dysfunction analysis (meibography), Corneal topography analysis.
- A customized treatment plan is formulated for each dry eye patient, detailed explanations and steps are reviewed with the patient.
Treatment of Dry Eye
Treatment for dry eye depends on the cause and severity of the condition, as well as the patient’s overall health and personal preference. Non-surgical treatments are often effective. These may include (amongst other treatments):
- Medical Grade Bruder Masks,
- RESTASIS®
- Xiidra®
- Optilight® IPL treatment, FDA approved for Dry Eye, is the newest technology available for treatment.
Dr Johnson will assess which treatment plan to follow and make recommendations accordingly.
Treating the underlying cause of dry eyes can help relieve the symptoms of this condition.
Contact us to to schedule an appointment.
