Are your eyes a little itchier and scratchier than they used to be? Do you always feel as though you have something stuck in your eye? You may have dry eye, which is often a result of your eye’s natural aging process. Trang Dao, OD, and her team of optometrists at InFocus Vision, with offices in Fort Worth and Cedar Hill, Texas, specialize in the diagnosis and management of dry eye. For relief from your eye irritation, call the office or schedule an appointment using the online booking button.
Dry Eyes Q & A
What is dry eye?
Dry eye is a medical condition that occurs because your eyes are either no longer able to make quality tears or you can’t make enough tears.
Quality tears
Quality tears contain a mix of water, oil, and mucus, which helps keep your eyes moist and nourished. If there’s an issue with any of these components, your tears may not be able to spread evenly over the eye, resulting in drier, irritated eyes. For most people, it’s a lack of water in the tear that affects tear quality.
Not enough tears
Your tears are produced by special glands in your eyes. Tear production can decrease for many different reasons, including age, medications, or environmental factors. If you’re not producing enough tears, you’ll experience dry eyes.
What are the symptoms of dry eye?
Dry eye can be very uncomfortable and lead to a number of different symptoms. Some of the most common include:
- Red, itchy eyes
- Gritty feeling
- Blurred vision
- Burning
- Sensitivity to light
If left untreated, dry eye can damage the eye and impair vision.
What causes dry eye?
Age is the most common cause of dry eye, but not the only reason you may be feeling the discomfort: Other common causes of dry eye include:
- Medication
- Exposure to wind or dry air
- Medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis
Women are more likely to experience dry eye during the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy or menopause.
How do I know if I have dry eye?
Your optometrist at InFocus Vision can diagnose dry eye during your comprehensive eye exam. Be sure to share your symptoms with your optometrist so you can have your tear quality tested. Determining the underlying cause of your dry eye may help improve treatment.
What is the treatment for dry eye?
Dry eye is a chronic condition that requires ongoing treatment to help relieve your symptoms and ensure your eyes stay healthy. Your optometrist at InFocus Vision may recommend artificial tears to improve moisture or special eye drops that help increase tear production. Your optometrist may also prescribe eye drops to reduce inflammation and alleviate discomfort.
Blocking the tear duct to prevent tear drainage may also be recommended if more conservative measures fail to help relieve your symptoms.
For dry eye management, call InFocus Vision, or schedule an appointment using the online booking button.
