Dry eye is a common condition that is caused by inadequate tear production.
Tears are essential for lubricating the eyes and, over time, chronic dry eye can damage your eyes.
If you suffer from an ongoing feeling of discomfort in the eyes, schedule an appointment with your ophthalmologist at Advanced Ophthalmology Associates.
Common symptoms of dry eye include:
If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, don’t hesitate to schedule an eye exam with your ophthalmologist.
Although they share many of the same symptoms, there are three types of dry eye that differ by cause, including:
When the meibomian glands along the edges of the eyelids are clogged, not enough oil is produced and tears can’t flow as they should. If you do generate any tears, they evaporate too quickly to make a difference.
This type of dry eye condition is a malfunction of the lacrimal glands, wherein they cannot produce the water element of tears. This often develops in persons with certain autoimmune disorders.
This type is when a person has a combination of both EDE and ADDE.
The underlying cause of dry eye is inadequate tear production, which can be attributed to one or more factors, including:
Diagnosis begins with a thorough eye exam by an ophthalmologist. He or she will measure the volume of tear production, the ratio of oil to water, and the rate of tear evaporation. Chemical testing may also be used to check for certain proteins in the tears.
Treatment options for dry eye include:
It’s worth noting that many people with dry eye try to resolve the condition themselves by using over-the-counter eye drops. While over-the-counter tears can sometimes help treat symptoms of dry eye other treatments may be necessary. Only an ophthalmologist can provide the appropriate treatment options.
Find relief for your dry eye symptoms. Schedule an appointment with your ophthalmologist at Advanced Ophthalmology Associates today.