At Eye Care Specialists, our doctors use state of the art technology including TearLab to measure the tear film and lacrimal system. Our doctors have extensive training and expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of Dry Eye Syndrome which allows us to provide the best therapies for your specific condition.
Dry Eye
Dry eye is a chronic condition in which there is an insufficient quantity or unhealthy quality of tears to lubricate and nourish the eye. Dry eye often goes undiagnosed and untreated, despite being a very common and treatable disease. As the population ages, its prevalence is also increasing. Currently, between 20 and 25 million Americans suffer from dry eyes. Women are more prone to suffer from dry eye disease. This includes 3.2 million women over the age of 50 and 15% of all Americans over age 65.
With each blink of the eyelids, tears are spread across the front surface of the eye. Tears provide lubrication, reduce the risk of eye infection, wash away foreign matter on the eye, and keep the surface of the eyes smooth and clear. Tears are necessary to maintain the health of the ocular surface and to provide clear vision.
People with dry eyes either do not produce enough tears or have a poor quality of tears. Treatments are directed at improving the tear film balance to maintain good quality vision and minimize symptoms.
What are the Symptoms of Dry Eyes?
- Stinging or burning eyes
- Grittiness or scratchiness
- Stringy mucus in or around the eyes
- Discomfort when wearing contact lenses
- Blurred or Fluctuating Vision
- Pain
- Light Sensitivity
- A feeling of a foreign body or sand in the eye
- Excess tearing
- Redness of the eye
- Heavy eyelids
- Increased eye irritation from smoke or wind
- Decreased tolerance of reading, working on the computer, or any activity that requires sustained visual attention
Dry Eye can impact your everyday activities:
- Inability to wear contact lenses
- Constant use of eye drops
- Discomfort being out in the sun
- Difficulty performing tasks such as reading, using a computer, driving, and watching TV
Causes of Dry Eye
- Medications
- Contact lens wear
- Diseases
- Hormonal changes
- Low blink rate/incomplete blink
- Computer use
- Smartphone use
- Past eye surgery
With our advanced diagnostic technology, Eye Care Specialists will determine the cause of your dry eye and develop a customized treatment plan to treat your dry eye.
Let the dry eye experts at Eye Care Specialists help you improve your quality of life with relief from Dry Eye. Call us for more information or to schedule your appointment at (888) 658-6974.
