Dry Eye Treatment

Dry Eyes Q & A

What are dry eyes?

Dry eye is an eye condition that occurs when you don’t produce enough high-quality tears to keep your eyes moist and nourished. Every time you blink, you spread tears across the surface of your eyes, which keeps your eyes lubricated, reduces the risk of eye infection, clears away debris, and keeps your cornea clear and smooth. 

If you have dry eyes, either you’re not making enough tears or the tears you make are poor quality. Aging, medical conditions, the environment, medications, or an eye condition can affect the production or quality of your tears.
 

What are dry eye symptoms?

Dry eyes cause physical symptoms, as well as vision changes. Common symptoms of dry eyes include:

• Eye irritation

• Gritty sensation in your eyes

• Burning sensation

• Feeling as though you have something stuck in your eye

• Red eyes

• Watery eyes

• Blurry vision

• Sensitivity to light

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, contact Customized Vision Care to schedule an eye exam. Without treatment, your dry eyes may affect the surface of your eye and cause vision changes.
 

How are dry eyes diagnosed?

Interestingly enough, 50% of patients struggle with Dry Eye. Therefore, it is important that Dr. Kirschen conducts a comprehensive eye exam to diagnose dry eyes. During your exam, he asks detailed questions about your symptoms, medical history, medication use, and environment.

He then performs a number of tests to assess your eye health and vision and measures your tears for abnormalities.

How are dry eyes treated?

Dr. Kirschen develops personalized treatment plans for dry eyes based on the underlying cause and the severity of your symptoms. He reviews your treatment plan in detail with you so you have a complete understanding of your condition and the need for the recommended treatments. 

Your treatment plan may include:

• Over-the-counter artificial tear drop solutions

• Placement of plugs to prevent tear loss

• Prescription eye drops to increase tear production

• Adding omega-3 supplement to your daily regimen

• Tearcare

• Customized treatment for any eye or eyelid inflammation

Dr. Kirschen also talks to you about self-care measures you can take at home to reduce your dry eye symptoms, such as using a humidifier to keep the air moist and wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes from the drying wind or sun.

To schedule an evaluation for your dry eyes with an optometrist who takes a patient-centered approach to care, contact Customized Vision Care by phone or online today.