Dry Eye Therapy | The Optometry Center

Irritating, Uncomfortable Eyes

We use our eyes all day long, but we rarely think of them—unless they’re uncomfortable, and then they’re all we think about. Adults might turn to redness-relieving eye drops, while kids often rub their eyes. But neither strategy tackles the true cause of tired, scratchy eyes.

Dry eye is a chronic, common, and uncomfortable condition, impacting more than 16 million Americans. Not only is it irritating, but it can really put a damper on your daily activities. Dry eyes can decrease your quality of life and hinder productivity.

But relief is available! Book an exam today for a comprehensive eye exam to diagnose your dry eye symptoms. If left untreated, dry eye can lead to long-term infections and eye damage down the road. Any time your eyes are uncomfortable, it’s best to pay us a visit and rule out more problematic conditions.

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Symptoms of Dry Eye

Dry eye symptoms generally occur in both eyes at the same time and can include:

Stinging or burning
Gritty or scratchy feeling
Foreign body sensation
Red or watery eyes
Blurry vision
Sensitivity to light
Eye fatigue
Stringy mucus in or around your eyes
Discomfort when wearing contacts

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, book your appointment to explore dry eye treatment options today.

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What Is Dry Eye Syndrome?

Dry is exactly what it sounds like—it occurs when your eyes aren’t producing enough lubrication to keep them moist and comfortable.

There are 2 main types of dry eye. The first—and least common—occurs when the eyes simply don’t produce enough tears. The second occurs when the tears are of poor quality.

Decreased Tear Production

Reasons for decreased tear production are varied and might include:

Contact lens wear
Normal aging
Medications such as antihistamines or antidepressants
Medical conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or Sjögren’s Syndrome
Recent laser vision correction surgery

Do you find yourself with dry, itchy eyes? Or suffer from chronic tearing and discomfort? These are all signs of a problem with chronically dry eyes.
Many people suffer from chronic dry eye, which is a term used to describe a condition in which the eyes either produce too few tears or they tear, but their tears are chemically imbalanced. More often than not, it is a result of the natural aging process.
But it may be due to other conditions such as problems with the blinking reflex, use of certain medications, chemical or environmental conditions or some systemic health problems such as arthritis or Sjorgren’s syndrome.
During your exam, a wide variety of procedures may be done which may include the placement of fluorescein dye and the use of filter paper to help indicate the amount of tears being produced by your eye.
All these tests will investigate both the quality and quantity of tears produced by your body.
Once the problem is isolated, the doctors will work closely with you to find the best possible solution. These exams last about half an hour.

Poor-Quality Tears

Good-quality tears depend on a balanced and effective tear film. The tear film is made up of 3 layers—a mucus layer to spread the tears over the surface of the eye, a water layer to hydrate the eye, and an oil layer to keep the water from evaporating too quickly. If there’s an imbalance in the tear film, dry eye syndrome can result.

The tiny glands along the top and bottom edges of the eyelids, called the meibomian glands are responsible for producing the oil layer of your tear film. Blockages in these glands can cause a reduction in the amount of oil produced, leading to dry eyes.

When we diagnose your dry eye syndrome, we’ll also look at the condition of your meibomian glands and recommend treatment options if they’re not functioning properly.

Finding Relief From Dry Eyes

No matter the cause of your dry eye, relief is available! We offer customized treatment options tailored to your unique needs. Start on the path to clear, comfortable vision today!

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At The Optometry Center, we strive to provide exceptional eye care to meet all of our patient’s needs. Our office provides vision care to all ages from 6 months to most senior patients. Using the latest in technology to assist in delivering your eye care, our goal is always to be informative and administer the best in personal care. Learn more about us today, and we look forward to seeing you at your next visit to our office!

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