How Can You Help My Dry Eyes
Normal vision requires a sufficient quality of tears to keep your eyes' surface moist and healthy. When your eyes are dry, either due to tear deficiency or excessive tear evaporation, damage can occur to the exposed eye surface and result in eye discomfort.
Tear-deficient dry eyes can come from chronic contact lens wear, a past herpes eye infection, diabetes or simply getting older. Rarely, a tear deficiency can be the symptom of a disease of the tear gland. On the other hand, if your eyes are dry due to excessive tear evaporation, the environment may be the culprit. Central heating, hair dryers, air travel, air pollution, contact lens wear and computer work are among the many factors that can reduce the moisture in your eyes. An inflammation of the eyelid or anomalies in the way your eyelid spreads tears across the surface of your eye can also cause dryness.
Although most people equate dry eye disease with uncomfortable eyes, serious vision complications are a distinct possibility. If left untreated, severe dry eye disease may lead to a number of very serious problems which in turn can lead to visual impairment and blindness. Therefore, the diagnosis and treatment of dry eyes is extremely important. When you come in for your eye exam, be sure to tell us if you feel your eyes are excessively dry or uncomfortable.
If you're diagnosed with dry eye disease, we will determine which treatments will best relieve your symptoms and protect your vision. Treatment may include an anti-inflamatory medication, artificial tears, warm compresses and using a humidifer.
