Dry eye is a common condition that causes irritating symptoms and can affect your vision. This condition occurs when your eyes don't produce enough tears to keep your eyes adequately moisturized. It can also occur if you produce poor quality tears that evaporate before they can do their job. Our professionals at Clinton Eye Associates in Clinton, CT provide treatment options for dry eye.
Who Is at Risk for Dry Eye?
There are some risk factors that make you more likely to develop dry eye. These include:
- Age: After the age of 50, it is common for your tear progression to diminish.
- Medication: Some medications can cause dry eye. These include decongestants, antihistamines, birth control, acne medication, high blood pressure medication, hormone replacement, and antidepressants.
- Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions can cause dry eye. These include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, thyroid disease, allergic eye disease, sarcoidosis, and vitamin A deficiency.
- Eye allergies
- Eyelid issues
- Long-term use of contact lenses
What Are the Symptoms of Dry Eye?
Dry eye causes irritating symptoms that can affect your vision. These include:
- Feeling like you have something in your eyes
- Stinging sensation
- Scratchy sensation
- Gritty sensation
- Eye redness
- Blurry vision
- Eye fatigue
- Stringy mucus in the eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- Trouble driving at night
- Difficulty wearing contacts
How Is Dry Eye Diagnosed?
Dry eye can be diagnosed during your annual eye exam. If our eye doctor suspects you have dry eye, we will perform several tests and ask about any medications you are taking. If you are diagnosed with dry eye, we will find the right treatment for you.
How Is Dry Eye Treated?
There a few treatment options for dry eye. The one our optometrist prescribes depends on the severity of your condition.
- Artificial tears: Artificial tears are eye drops that mimic your natural tears.
- Eye inserts: Eye inserts are slow-release artificial tears. The inserts are about the size of a grain of rice, and they are placed between your eye and your lower lid. During the course of the day, the insert will slowly dissolve, keeping your eyes moist.
- Tear stimulating drugs: Our eye doctor can suggest medication to help you produce more tears.
- Punctal plugs: Punctal plugs close off your tear ducts to prevent the tears you produce from draining away.
- Thermal cautery: This involves closing the tear ducts using heat. It has the same effect as punctal plugs, but is a permanent solution.
Visit Our Optometrist in Clinton, CT for Dry Eye Treatment
If you are experiencing the symptoms of dry eye, we can help. At Clinton Eye Associates in Clinton, CT, our eye doctor will perform an eye exam to determine the severity of your condition. We will provide the right treatment to get your eyes healthy again. Call us today to schedule an appointment.