Dry Eye Syndrome

What Is Dry Eye Syndrome and How Can It Be Treated?
Dry eyes sound like a minor concern until you’re dealing with it every single day. Few people realize just how disruptive simple eye dryness can be to your life. Constantly being distracted and uncomfortable by itchy, red, or watering eyes. The itching drives you to distraction, the redness is commented on socially and watering can get so bad you can hardly drive.
Do any of these experiences sound like your life or the life of someone you know? Then, you or your loved one may suffer from dry eye syndrome. This is a combination of symptoms with a wide variety of causes. Fortunately, dry eye can be treated. This page will tell you everything you need to know about the basics of diagnosing and treating uncomfortable dry eyes.
Dry eye syndrome occurs when your tears can’t do their job. The human eye is designed to generate tears, a combination of water, salt, and oils. These passive tears are meant to constantly lubricate your eyes. Tears keep your eyes from drying out and help to casually deflect or wash away any dust in the air.
Dry eyes occur when one of two things happens – either your tear ducts are not producing enough tears or your tears are not the right formula to properly protect your eyes. Dry eyes may occur, for example, if your tears evaporate too quickly because there are not enough oils, leaving your eyes dry and itchy.
These tear deficiencies can be caused by a number of conditions, illnesses, or medications, and some populations are more at risk of dry eyes than others. Keep reading to explore the symptoms of dry eyes, causes of dry eye, and treatments that can help.

Treatments for Dry Eye Syndrome
- Artificial Tear Drops – You can buy artificial tears in dropper bottles, aka eye drops. These will moisturize your eye in the way that your natural tears or eyelids cannot. Many people only need to use eye drops a few times a day.
- Punctual Plugs in Tear Ducts – Smaller than a grain of rice, these biocompatible plugs prevent your eyes from draining tears, which can cause types of medical-related dry eye.
- Prescription Eye Drops – Restasis – If your eyes are dry due to constant inflammation, Restasis is the prescription eye drop that is commonly prescribed. It is a minor immunosuppressant to stop your eyes from fighting dust with too much enthusiasm.
- Lipiflow – Lipoflow treats blocked meibomian glands by opening them up and allowing the oil (lipid) to flow and coat your eyeball.
Finding the Right Treatment for Your Dry Eye
It is possible to treat many of the symptoms of dry eye at home or with over-the-counter medications. However, to solve the underlying problem or treat more severe symptoms, you will need the help of a medical professional. If you or someone you know is suffering from ongoing dry eye syndrome, we can help. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment.