Dry Eye: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Dry eye syndrome is a condition that occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or if you produce poor-quality tears. Dry eye can occur when any of the three layers of the tear film are disrupted. This imbalance can be caused by a range of factors, such as hormonal changes, autoimmune diseases, inflamed eyelid glands, or allergic eye diseases. This instability leads to inflammation and damage of the eye’s surface.

These are some of the common symptoms you may experience:

• A stinging, burning or scratchy sensation in your eyes

• Sensitivity to light

• Eye redness

• A sensation of having something in your eyes

• Difficulty wearing contact lenses

• Difficulty with nighttime driving

• Watery eyes, which is the body's response to the irritation of dry eyes

• Blurred vision or eye fatigue
   

For individuals experiencing occasional or mild dry eye symptoms, over-the-counter artificial tears can provide sufficient relief. However, for those with persistent and severe dry eyes, a personalized approach is necessary. Treatment options depend on the underlying cause of the dry eyes, and may involve addressing the root factor, improving tear quality, or slowing tear drainage.

Here are a few of the treatment options that we currently offer our patients for a more personalized approach:

• Punctal plugs: These are small, flexible devices inserted into small openings at the inner corner of the eyes to help block the tears from draining from the eye. This allows the natural tear production to replenish and maintain moisture in the eyes.

• Eyelid exfoliation: This is like a deep shampoo for the eyes to clean and exfoliate the eyelids and eye lashes. It involves applying a gel to the eyelid margin and lashes with a cotton swab and cleaning in a circular motion, working the gel into a lather.

• Low-level light therapy: This is a machine that emits a broad-spectrum of light that is absorbed by the body's tissues. It can stimulate tear production, treat meibomian gland dysfunction, decrease inflammation and improve the health of eyelid cells.

Dry eye syndrome is a common condition that affects so many of us! While it may seem like a minor annoyance, dry eye can significantly impact one's quality of life, causing discomfort, blurry vision, and even complications. If you feel you struggle with any of these symptoms, we would love to help you out!