DRY EYE TREATMENT

INNOVISION FAMILY EYECARE IN KATY, TEXAS

DRY EYE TREATMENT

Dry eyes are an incredibly common complaint which, in addition to dryness, leads to symptoms including soreness, eye fatigue, irritation, grittiness and burning. Although the condition is common, having dry eyes is still not considered normal.

Some individuals experience dry eyes as the symptom of a separate problem, such as ocular allergies, an eye infection, contact lens irritation, long hours of computer work or even hot, dry weather. Other individuals, however, have dry eye syndrome, chronic dry eyes unrelated to any other condition.

WHAT CAUSES CHRONIC DRY EYE?

Individuals who have had an eye surgery or injury might experience dry eye syndrome as a side effect. Dry eyes can also be a symptom of an immune system disorder called Sjorgren’s Syndrome.

The three most common issues which cause dry eye syndrome include:

Low Tear Gland Production
Blocked Meibomian Glands
Poor Tear Quality

Tear glands failing to produce a sufficient amount of tears to lubricate the eyes is the most common cause of chronic dry eye.

These glands produce an oily substance which helps lubricate the eyes and prevent tear evaporation. These glands often become blocked, preventing the distribution of this oil.

Some individuals produce tears which contain abnormally high amounts of salt and inflammatory substances, which irritate eyes and make them feel even drier.

DIAGNOSING DRY EYE

When patients schedule a dry eye appointment or mention frequent dryness and irritation during a comprehensive vision exam, our optometrist must first determine the underlying cause before providing either a diagnosis or treatment. Before definitively diagnosing a patient with dry eye syndrome, other conditions, such as ocular allergies and infections, must be ruled out.

Our optometrist will perform a series of tests and examinations to determine the underlying cause of the patient’s dry eyes. The diagnosis process might include:

Measurement of tear volume

Tear sample to test quality and evaporation rate

Allergy antigen test

Imaging of the meibomian glands and cornea

Screening for Sjogren's Syndrome