Dry eye can be a debilitating disease that, if left untreated, can cause significant permanent damage. Dry eye is caused by a lack of lubrication on the surface of the eye and can vary in severity from minor irritation to intense inflammation and infection.
Usually, dry eye can be associated with a persistent dryness in the eyes, along with grittiness, a burning sensation, or the constant feeling of something in your eye. To help diagnose your dry eye, your optometrist may perform a Schirmer test to measure the number of tears your eyes are producing using a thin strip of filter paper
The root cause of dry eye is usually one of two things: Your eyes aren’t producing enough tears, or the tears your eyes do produce are low quality, causing them to evaporate too quickly and leaving your eyes dry and irritated.
Dry eye may occur as part of the natural aging process, and the risk increases for post-menopausal women. Side effects of various medications, such as antihistamines or antidepressants, can also cause or contribute to dry eye. Where you live can also affect your eyes moisture barrier, since residents of dry, dusty, or windy climates typically experience higher levels of tear evaporation.
Among these reasons, dry eye can also be caused by:
Though there is currently no definitive cure for dry eye, this condition can be managed using a variety of strategies.
Your optometrist will evaluate the severity of your dry eye and recommend the best course of action for you to take. They may prescribe specialty eye drops to help alleviate the discomfort caused by dry eye and increase tear production. They may also prescribe a steroid for short-term relief.
For more severe cases, an insert filled with a lubricating ingredient and placed just inside the lower eyelid can help keep the eyes lubricated throughout the day.
For contact lens wearers, please visit us for a contact lens exam to ensure you’re wearing the best type of lens for your dry eyes. You can also book an appointment with us for more information!
Our St. Pauls location is conveniently located just off of S. 5th Street, right next to S & S Auto Repair and across the street from the Piggly Wiggly.
Our St. Pauls location is conveniently located just off of S. 5th Street, right next to S & S Auto Repair and across the street from the Piggly Wiggly.
You can find our Fayetteville location directly across from Cape Valley Medical Center. You can fine Professional Optometry right next to our optician office Professional Opticians.
You can find our Fayetteville location directly across from Cape Valley Medical Center. You can fine Professional Optometry right next to our optician office Professional Opticians.
Professional Opticians provides designer eyewear and optician services. We are located directly beside Professional Optometry.
Professional Opticians provides designer eyewear and optician services. We are located directly beside Professional Optometry.
Lieberman & Lieberman is proud to feature an incredible selection of frames and lenses for all of our patients, boasting styles from RayBan, Coco Song, and exclusive Lindberg frames. Find your new look today!