Dry Eyes Specialist

Dry Eyes Q & A


What are dry eyes?

Dry eyes occur when your body doesn’t produce enough tears to adequately lubricate your eyes, or your tears are poor quality. Dry eyes can be uncomfortable.

Symptoms of dry eyes include:

  • Stinging or burning in your eyes
  • Discomfort when you blink your eyes
  • Discomfort when viewing a computer screen
  • Eye redness
  • Feeling of having something in your eyes
  • Light sensitivity
  • Eye fatigue
  • Blurred vision
  • Problems wearing contacts
  • Difficulty with night driving

Risk factors for developing dry eyes include older age, having diabetes or other health conditions, taking certain medications, previously undergoing laser eye surgery, wearing contact lenses, and tear gland damage due to radiation or inflammation.

You may also experience complications associated with dry eyes such as eye surface damage and eye infections.

How are dry eyes diagnosed?

To diagnose dry eyes and what’s causing them, Dr. Reddy reviews your symptoms and medical history. She also completes a comprehensive eye exam, analyzes tear quality, and measures the volume of your tears to determine the most appropriate dry eye treatment plan for you.

What is the treatment for dry eyes?

Your personalized dry eye treatment plan depends on the severity of your condition. Dr. Reddy and her team might recommend:

Medications

For mild dry eyes, simply using over-the-counter eye drops can offer symptom relief. Dr. Reddy may prescribe certain medications to relieve inflammation or increase eye lubrication. The medicines may be in the form of eye drops, pills, or gels.

Treating the underlying cause

Treating underlying diseases responsible for dry eyes helps alleviate symptoms. Switching medications or properly managing chronic diseases like diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis can offer you relief.

Special contacts

 

Wearing special contact lenses developed for people with dry eyes may reduce the dryness associated with contacts.

Light therapy

Intense-pulsed light therapy along with massaging your eyelids may help alleviate discomfort due to dry eyes.

Tear duct plugging

Wearing removable tear duct plugs or undergoing minor a procedure that uses heat to plug tear ducts, helps increase the number of tears.

Don’t live with dry eyes that cause discomfort when simple treatments are available at Athena Eye Institute. Schedule an appointment over the phone or online today.