Dry Eyes Specialist

What are dry eyes?

Dry eyes is a common problem that occurs when your natural tears don’t provide adequate lubrication for your eyes. There are a variety of reasons your tears may be inadequate. Sometimes, tear ducts don’t produce enough tears; other times, they produce low-quality tears. 

Dry eyes are annoying and uncomfortable. Without proper treatment, your eyes might sting or burn throughout the day. If you operate a commercial vehicle or work in front of a computer screen, you might also struggle to perform day-to-day tasks. If you experience dry eyes regularly and they don’t respond to over-the-counter eye drops, make an appointment with the team at Iris Eye Care & Contact Lens Gallery as soon as possible. 

What are the symptoms of dry eyes?

The symptoms of dry eyes depend on the severity of your condition. Telltale signs include:

• Eye redness
• Sensitivity to light
• Watery eyes
• Blurred vision
• Eye fatigue
• Burning eyes
• Itchy eyes

As the condition progresses, you might also experience stringy mucus in or around your eyes or the sensation of having something stuck or caught in your eye. 

What causes dry eyes?

Dry eyes affect people of all ages and backgrounds. Some common causes of dry eyes include:

• Decreased tear production
• Aging
• Tear gland damage
• Increased tear evaporation
• Eyelid problems
• An imbalance in tear composition

You might also develop dry eyes as a result of taking prescription medications to treat a chronic condition such as rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes.

How are dry eyes diagnosed?

To diagnose dry eyes, the team at Iris Eye Care & Contact Lens Gallery conducts a comprehensive eye exam and reviews your medical history. Your eye doctor also asks you questions about your symptoms, measures the volume of your tears, and evaluates the quality of your tears. This involves your eye doctor using special dyes to determine the surface condition of your eyes. 

How are dry eyes treated?

Treatment for dry eyes depends on the severity and underlying cause of your condition. For mild or moderate cases of dry eyes, your doctor might recommend using over-the-counter eye drops. 

More serious cases of dry eyes may require prescription drugs that reduce eyelid inflammation or eye drops that control corneal inflammation. If your dry eyes persist, even after treatment, the team might recommend wearing special contact lenses or surgically plugging your tear ducts to prevent tear loss. 

If you’re tired of living with dry, itchy, or generally irritated eyes, make an appointment at Iris Eye Care & Contact Lens Gallery today by calling the office or using the online booking tool.