From time to time, nearly everyone’s eyes will feel dry, gritty or uncomfortable. But for people with dry eye disease, the symptoms are ongoing and even debilitating.
As a leading ophthalmologist, Dr. Raymond Stein of Bochner Eye Institute is devoted to providing much-needed relief from the uncomfortable symptoms of dry eye disease.
Why Are My Eyes So Dry?
The first step toward alleviating the symptoms of dry eye is to identify the root cause of the problem.
Dry eye syndrome can occur if the eyes do not produce enough tears to stay lubricated. This tends to happen with advancing age due to hormonal changes (particularly in women going through menopause). Certain medications like antihistamines and blood pressure medications can reduce tear production, as can certain medical conditions such as diabetes and thyroid problems.
Dry eye can also occur if the composition of the tear film is out of whack. The tear film has three layers; an oily layer, a watery layer and a mucus layer. Without the oily layer, the tears dry up too quickly. Special eyelid glands called meibomian glands secrete the oils that help the tears “stick” to the surface of the eyes. If the meibomian glands become blocked or clogged, the tears evaporate too quickly from the eyes and as a result, the eyes can dry out.
Other factors that can contribute to dry eyes are refractive eye surgery (e.g., LASIK), exposure to hot, dry or smoky climates and looking at a computer screen for prolonged periods of time.
How to Relieve Dry Eye Syndrome
The most suitable solution for dry eye depends on the root cause of the problem.
In cases where the eyes are not producing enough tears, special eye drops can be used to increase tear production. Or, the natural tears can be conserved by reducing the drainage of tears from the eye. Tiny plugs can be placed in the tear ducts where the tears usually drain. In some cases, surgery is performed to permanently close the tear ducts.
For dry eye cases caused by meibomian gland dysfunction, LipiFlow is a very effective solution. LipiFlow is an in-office treatment that combines heat and massage to open blocked glands and restore the normal production and secretion of oils to the tear film.
Contact Us Today
For more information about solutions to dry eye disease, please contact Dr. Stein today.