The Dry Facts About Dry Eye
Dry eye is a term used to describe a group of conditions that result from inadequate wetting and lubrication of the eye. While millions of people worldwide experience dry eye, it is not always easy to diagnose and can easily be mistaken for other conditions such as infections and allergies.
Dry eye can be brought on by a variety of causes but there are typically multiple factors involved. Symptoms of dry eye can include dryness, scratchiness, burning or stinging, foreign body sensation, fluctuating or blurring of vision, tired eyes, general discomfort, contact lens intolerance and tear debris.
Individuals who suffer from dry eye should be excited to know that in recent years there has been a great deal of new research and technology that help doctors manage dry eye more effectively. There are numerous new treatment options that are currently available and many more in development.
Additionally, there are new diagnostic tests that make diagnosis and management more effective. One of the newest diagnostic tests is called TearLab which measure tear osmolarity. Tear osmolarity is thought to be one of the key driving forces causing damage to ocular tissues in dry eye patients. At the Eye Care Center we are proud to be one of the first practices nationwide to use such a unit.
The Eye Care Center is nationally recognized as an Accredited Dry Eye Center. Our doctors will work with you to determine whether or not you have dry eye and to determine the appropriate therapy.