Dry Eye
Tears keep the eye moist, wash out dust and debris, and are essential to good eye health. Without this lubrication, dry eye disease may occur.
Symptoms include:
- Irritated, gritty, scratchy, or burning eyes
- A feeling of something in their eyes
- Excess watering
- Blurred vision
Dry eye is a chronic condition that tends to become worse over time. If untreated, dry eye can make you less productive at work and interfere with your ability to take part in activities you enjoy.
What is evaporative dry eye?
The healthy film of tears that always covers the eye is made up of three layers: mucin (bottom layer), water (middle layer), and oil (top layer). Evaporative dry eye is the most common form of dry eye and is caused by the dysfunction of the oil-producing glands in the eyelids, called the meibomian glands. When meibomian glands produce an insufficient oil layer, tears evaporate too quickly leading to many of the painful symptoms listed above.
How is dry eye treated?
Artificial tears and some prescription eye drops may give some relief from the irritation, but you should see an eye care professional who can diagnose the specific problem causing your symptoms. Your Mattax Neu Prater doctor will examine your eyes, review your eye health history, perform tests to determine the cause of your symptoms, and recommend appropriate treatments for your particular type of dry eye.
The doctors at Mattax Neu Prater Eye Center offer a wide range of treatments for all types of dry eye. These treatments include but are not limited to punctal (tear duct) plugs, Restasis®, and nutraceutical supplements.
