Dry Eye Treatment

If you’re one of the 16 million Americans with dry eyes, you may feel frustrated with over-the-counter drops that never last long enough. At Optic Gallery Horizon Ridge in Henderson, Nevada, Anne Valdez, OD, and the team understand how dry eyes might affect your quality of life and prescribe customized treatments that can give you long-term relief. Call the office or book an appointment online today to learn more about treatment options for dry eyes.

What are dry eyes?

Dry eyes, also known as dry eye syndrome or dry eye disease, occur when your eyes aren’t well-lubricated. 

This condition can happen in two ways, including:

Inadequate tears

The most common reason for dry eyes is inadequate tear production. This means that your eyes don’t make enough tears and can’t distribute a smooth tear film over your eye surface when you blink. 

Tear imbalance

Watery tears can’t lubricate your eyes properly, so while they produce moisture, it’s not the right kind. Your tear film has an outer oily layer, a mucus layer next to your eye, and a water layer between them. If you lack oil, mucus, or both, you’re left with watery tears that evaporate very quickly. 

Either or both of these problems can cause dry eyes and a range of uncomfortable eye issues.

What are the symptoms of dry eyes?

Dry eyes cause dry-feeling eyes, which usually go along with other problems, such as: 

• Red eyes
• Stinging
• Burning
• Hot-feeling eyes
• Bloodshot eyes
• Light sensitivity
• Grainy-feeling eyes
• Stringy mucus discharge

Severe dry eyes can affect your vision, causing blurriness and other distressing visual issues. 

What causes dry eyes?

Some of the most common causes of dry eyes are: 

• Tear balance changes during menopause
• Medications, like antihistamines and blood pressure medications
• Autoimmune diseases like lupus and Sjögren’s syndrome
• Eyelid gland inflammation
• Excessive digital screen time
• Refractive eye surgery

The risk of developing dry eyes increases as you age, but you may develop the issue at any age. 

What is the best treatment for dry eyes?

Treatment for dry eyes depends on the cause. Some of the different treatment methods include: 

• Lifestyle changes, like reducing screen time
• Artificial tears
• Prescription eye drops to improve your tear production 
• Eyelid massage to open blocked eyelid glands
• Eyelid scrubs
• Warm compresses
• Punctal plugs to close tear ducts and prevent tear loss

Treating dry eyes early gives you the best results. Ignoring the condition for too long could potentially lead to some serious eye issues like corneal abrasions or ulcers, so don’t wait to get help.  

If you have dry eyes, Optic Gallery Horizon Ridge is ready to help you. Call the office or click on the online booking tool today.