Say Goodbye to Scratchy, Irritated Eyes

You may not think much about your tears or how essential they are to your eye health until you experience dry eyes.

We produce tears to lubricate our eyes, rinse away grit and dirt, keep the surface of our eyes clear and clean, and to reduce the risk of damage or infection. When we can’t produce enough tears or our tears are poor quality, we experience dry eyes. This is a common problem, and it is highly treatable. Our experienced team at the Eye Avenue can determine the cause of your dry eye and suggest a suitable treatment plan to suit your needs.

Causes of Dry Eyes

There are many reasons why you may be experiencing dry eyes.

Gender: Women are more likely to develop dry eyes due to the fluctuations of hormones during pregnancy, menopause, or if using oral contraceptives.

Age: Dry eyes are also a natural part of aging, and symptoms related to dry eye are common in those over the age of 65.

Medication: If you are taking certain prescription drugs, such as antidepressants, antihistamines, or blood pressure medications, you may experience dry eye as a symptom of these medications.

Environment: Your environment may also be responsible for your dry eyes. If you live in a dry, windy, or dusty climate, your tears may evaporate too quickly, leading to dry eye symptoms.

Symptoms of Dry Eyes

Those with dry eyes may experience a variety of symptoms, including:

Dandruff around the eyes

Light sensitivity

Watery eyes

Sore, red, or inflamed eyelids

Burning or gritty sensation in the eyes

Contact lens discomfort

Difficulty opening eyes in the morning

There are different types of dry eye, so it is important to see your optometrist for an eye exam so you can be properly diagnosed and given an effective treatment plan.

Diagnosis & Treatment of Dry Eyes

Diagnosis

If you think you may have dry eyes and need treatment, the best thing you can do is book an appointment with your optometrist. Dry eyes can be diagnosed through a comprehensive eye exam that also includes tests for determining the quantity and quality of your tears.

Testing for dry eyes includes a discussion about your personal history and current medications, an examination of the structure of the lids and your blink dynamics, using bright light and magnification to evaluate your eyelids and cornea, and measuring the quality and quantity of your tears.

Treatments

Although dry eyes can be chronic and irritating, there are a variety of treatment options available to you.

If your dry eyes are mild, you may be able to treat them with over the counter eye drops.

We can also prescribe ophthalmic medications, like eye drops that induce tear production, or eye drops, ointments, and cleaners to reduce inflammation. We can also insert punctal plugs if your dry eye is caused by your tears draining before they can lubricate the surface of your eyes. Additionally, if your dry eye is caused by blocked meibomian glands, a warm compress may be all it takes to loosen it up and improve dry eye symptoms.

We also carry a selection of nutritional supplements that have been shown to reduce the symptoms of dry eye and improve eye health.

If you are looking for treatment for your dry eyes, we offer comprehensive dry eye therapy at the Eye Avenue. Call today to book your eye exam.

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