Dry Eye Clinic

Dry Eye Clinic

What is Dry Eye?

Nearly 10 million Americans suffer from dry eye syndrome. Dry eye is a term used to describe a condition where there are not enough tears to adequately nourish or lubricate the eye. The tears provide for clear vision, nourish the eye and protect the eye from infection and particles.

What are the Symptoms of Dry Eye?

  • Gritty/Scratchy eyes
  • Burning eyes
  • Excess watering
  • Blurry vision
  • Irritated eyes or the feeling of something in your eyes

How Common is Dry Eye?

Dry eye is a very common condition in the United States. It is particularly common in older adults. The most common form of dry eye is due to an inadequate amount of water in the tears. This condition is referred to as dry eye syndrome and is very common.

What Causes Dry Eye?

Inadequate tear production and poor tear quality are frequent Dry Eye Causes.
There are several factors putting people more at risk for dry eye:

  • Being over age 65
  • Females
  • People taking certain medications for things such as blood pressure
  • Medical conditions such as Sjogrens, Lupus, Thyroid disease, and arthritis
  • Living and work environments exposing individuals to things like smoke, wind or pollutants
  • Working on computers for long periods of time
  • Long-term contact lens use

When does Dry Eye Occur?

Dry eye can occur at any time during life. It is more common the older that a person gets.

How is Dry Eye Diagnosed?

Diagnosing dry eye begins with a comprehensive eye exam at American Eye Care.
During this exam, your doctor uses tests to evaluate your tear film layer and the health of your eyelids and glands.

How is Dry Eye Treated?

  • Adding Tears
  • Blocking the Tear Ducts to Preserve Tears
  • Prescription Eye Drops
  • Nutritional Supplements Containing Fatty Acids
  • Decreasing Inflammation if Present

There are also steps you can take to reduce dry eye symptoms such as wearing sunglasses, staying hydrated and remembering to blink regularly when at work.

Contact us with questions or to book an appointment with us!