Dry Eye Specialist

What is dry eye?

Your eyes naturally produce tears to wash away debris each time you blink to ensure you have clear vision. Dry eye is a condition that develops when you don’t make enough tears, or enough quality tears, to nourish and moisturize your eyes.

Glands around your eyelids produce tears. As you get older or because of an underlying medical condition, these glands may not produce the amount of tears you need to maintain good eye health.

You may also develop dry eye if the quality of your tears is low. Your tears contain layers of oil, water, and mucus. Usually, a lack of water causes tears to evaporate too quickly or not spread evenly over the eye.

What are the symptoms of dry eye?

A hallmark of dry eye symptoms is the sensation that you have something in your eye. You may also experience:

• Burning
• Scratching
• Gritty feeling
• Excess watering

When your eyes aren’t producing enough tears, it can impair your vision. Without the proper treatment, you can suffer damage on the front surface of your eye.

How is dry eye diagnosed?

While dry eye is a very common condition, especially in older people, it requires a careful evaluation to confirm a diagnosis. Dr. Prince and his team have extensive experience in assessing eye health and the quality of your tears.

During your evaluation, the Andrew M. Prince MD Ophthalmology and Ophthalmic Surgery team review your medical history, lifestyle, and the dry eye symptoms you’re experiencing.

You can also expect a comprehensive eye exam and tear testing. Using special dyes, Dr. Prince can evaluate the flow of your tears and how quickly they evaporate from the surface of your eye to confirm dry eye.

How is dry eye treated?

The goal of treating dry eye is to restore moisture in your eye to prevent permanent damage. Dr. Prince and his team take time to discuss all of your options for therapy and ensure you have all of the information you need to make the right decision.

Treatment options include:

Eye drops

Initially, you may benefit from artificial tear solutions to nourish your eyes or medicated eye drops to reduce irritation and inflammation. The Andrew M. Prince MD Ophthalmology and Ophthalmic Surgery team can also recommend nutritional supplements, like omega-3 fatty acids, to improve natural tear production.

Tear duct procedures

If these treatments aren’t enough to manage your symptoms, Dr. Prince may recommend a procedure to implant plugs in your tear ducts. The plugs block the ducts that drain away tears to help you retain moisture for a longer period of time. You may also need a surgery to permanently close your tear ducts.

Lifestyle changes

Additionally, you can make necessary changes to reduce dryness in your eyes, such as adding humidity in the air. You should wear sunglasses when outdoors and drink plenty of water each day to stay hydrated. You should also make a point to blink more often when working on a computer or reading.

If your eyes always feel irritated and you need help managing your symptoms, call the office of Andrew M. Prince MD Ophthalmology and Ophthalmic Surgery nearest you.