Dry eye disorder is a medical condition that occurs when your tears cannot sufficiently lubricate your eyes. Dry eyes may be induced if your tear glands do not produce adequate tears or if you yield poor-quality tears. This tear imbalance culminates in inflammation and damage to the eye’s surface. It is important to get dry eye treated so it does not worsen or impact your vision. At Summit Eyecare, our optometrists diagnose and treat dry eye. Serving Idaho Falls, Pocatello, St. Anthony, and Rexburg, ID, our team is committed to keeping your eye health and vision at their best.
Causes of Dry Eye
Dry eyes are typically uncomfortable. If you have dry eye, your eyes might sting or burn. You may experience dry eyes in scenarios such as on a flight, in an air-conditioned room, or focusing on a computer screen for several hours. Dry eyes can be temporary or chronic. Untreated chronic dry eye can trigger various complications, ranging from double vision to infections.
Some common causes of dry eye include:
- Ageing: Anyone can have dry eye, but it is more common in people over 50 years old, due to a deterioration in tear production.
- Medication: Some medications like antihistamines, antidepressants, and diuretics can mitigate mucus production and culminate in chronic dry eye.
- Computer use: Looking at a computer can often affect tear production, resulting in dry eye.
- Laser surgery: Laser vision surgery cuts some of the nerves in the cornea, propagating the eyes to secrete reduced tears.
- Menopause: Hormones can play a critical role in dry eye. Hormones often increase the secretion of tears, so reduced hormones can lessen tear production.
- Eye allergies: Eye allergies can also induce dry eye, making your eyes red, itchy, and watery.
Symptoms of Dry Eye
The most common symptoms of dry eye include:
- Eye pain
- Redness of the eyes
- Blurry vision
- Watery eyes
- Difficulty while reading or sitting at the computer for extended periods
- A feeling like sand is in the eye
- Stringy mucus in or around the eyes
- Eye sensitivity to wind or smoke
- Discomfort when wearing contact lenses
- Double vision
- Difficulty keeping the eyes open
Dry Eye Treatment
Our eye doctor will perform an eye exam to determine the cause of your condition. Treating an underlying health issue can assist in clearing up the signs and symptoms of dry eyes. Our optometrist may also recommend different medications, including:
- Antibiotics to reduce eyelid inflammation
- Eyedrops to control cornea inflammation, like corticosteroids
- Tear stimulating drugs can help dry eye. These drugs are available in the form of gel, pills, and eyedrops.
- Eye inserts that work like artificial tears, like hydroxypropyl cellulose
- Neurolens are prescription lenses that help with eye misalignments, which can alleviate dry eye symptoms
Schedule an Appointment with Our Optometrist for Dry Eye Treatment
If you are suffering from dry eye, we can help. At Summit Eyecare, serving Idaho Falls, Pocatello, St. Anthony, and Rexburg, ID, our optometrist will find the right treatment for your condition. We are happy to answer any questions you have. Call us today to schedule an appointment.
