Dry eye is a common and often chronic problem, especially in older adults and becoming more prevalent in younger age groups as well. You need tears to moisten the eyes and wash away any particles that have gotten into your eyes. Tears lubricate the eyes, reduce the risk of infection, and keep the surface of the eyes smooth and clear.
Excess tears in the eyes drain into the inner corners of the eyelids and drain into the back of the nose. When tear production and drainage are imbalanced, this results in watery eyes.
Causes and Risks of Dry Eyes
People who have dry eyes either do not produce enough tears, or their tears are of poor quality. Tears are produced by several glands in and around the eyelids; however, tear production tends to diminish with age, with various medical conditions, or as a side effect of certain medications.
Furthermore, environmental conditions can also increase dry eye symptoms due to increased tear evaporation. When a normal amount of tear production decreases or tears evaporate from the eyes too quickly, symptoms of dry eyes can occur.
Symptoms of Dry Eyes
People with dry eyes may experience irritated, gritty, scratchy, or burning eyes, as well as a feeling of something in their eyes, excessive watering, and blurred vision. Symptoms of dry eyes include:
- Redness
- Stinging, Scratching, or Burning Sensation
- Light Sensitivity
- Watery Eyes
- Stringy Mucus Near the Eye
- Blurred Vision
How to Treat Dry Eyes
Dry eyes can be diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination. Testing with emphasis on the evaluation of the quality and quantity of the tears produced by the eyes may include patient history, external examination of the eyes, evaluation of the eyelids and cornea using bright light and magnification, and measurement of tears for any abnormalities. With the information obtained from testing, an eye doctor can determine if you have dry eyes and advise you on treatment options.
Treatments for dry eyes aim to restore or maintain the normal amount of tears in the eye to reduce dryness and related discomfort and to maintain eye health. Dry eyes can be a chronic condition, but a doctor can prescribe treatment to keep your eyes healthy and comfortable while also protecting your vision.
The best methods to manage and treat dry eyes include adding tears using over-the-counter artificial tear solutions, increasing tear production, and treating the inflammation of the eyelids or eye surface that contributes to dry eyes.
If you or a loved one suffers from dry eyes, Ashville Visions and Wellness in Arden, North Carolina, offers comprehensive eye exams and exceptional patient care. For more information about our eye exams and eye care, contact us.