Symptoms and Treatment of Dry Eye

Dry eye is a common condition that can be very irritating and painful. At Michigan Eyecare Institute in Southfield, MI, we can diagnose and treat dry eye. We offer a range of other eye and vision services, including vision eye exams, reconstructive or cosmetic eyelid surgery, and treatment of cataracts, glaucoma, pink eye, dry eye, or diabetic retinopathy. Our trained ophthalmologists can help you get pain relief from many eye conditions, including dry eye.

Symptoms and Causes of Dry Eye

Dry eye is very uncomfortable and can cause health problems with your eyes. We offer a range of solutions that we can provide for you depending on the cause of your dry eyes. Symptoms include a stinging, scratchy sensation in the eye, sensitivity to light, a red eye, an itchy eye, watery eyes, blurry vision, difficulty wearing contact lenses, and more.

Some causes of dry eyes include:

• Inadequate tear production due to aging, medical conditions like Sjogren's syndrome and lupus, deficiency of vitamin A, medications like antihistamines, decongestants, and hormone replacements, extended use of contact lenses, and laser surgeries.
• Fast evaporation of tears due to a tear gland malfunction, blinking less often, eyelid problems like inverted eyelids, eye allergies, preservatives in topical eyedrops, wind, smoke, and dry air.
• Diseases like Parkinson's disease, which may make someone blink less often, therefore exposing the eye for longer periods of time.
• Extended use of computers and similar monitors, which produce harsh artificial light and may also cause the user to blink less often while concentrating on the display.

Failure to address dry eye as soon as it occurs may render you at risk of eye infection, damage to the corneal surface, loss of vision in extreme cases, and decreased quality of life due to the inability to perform tasks like reading and driving.

Prevention of Dry Eye

Prevention of dry eye is better than treatment, and it can include taking precautions like:

• Avoiding blowing air from heaters and hair dryers in your eyes
• Adding moisture to the air indoors with humidifiers
• Taking breaks to relax your eyes during visually demanding tasks like reading
• Using protective eyewear when in conditions likely to aggravate dry eyes or cause them
• Using artificial tears regularly if you have chronic dry eyes
• Avoiding smoking
• Positioning your computer screen below eye level

Schedule an Appointment Today

If you do find yourself experiencing dry eyes often despite taking precautions, we can help. At Michigan Eyecare Institute, we will provide you with the proper treatment to keep your eyes healthy. Our ophthalmologist in Southfield, MI can treat a variety of other eye and vision conditions as well. To learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment, call us today.