Dry eye is one of the most common ailments people suffer from. At one time, most of us have experienced dry eyes. Whether it’s from environmental factors or your contact lenses, dry eyes can be very uncomfortable and irritating. At Sylvan Eye Assoc. in Modesto, CA, our team of experts can diagnose and treat dry eye. It’s important to get treatment so your condition does not worsen.
What Causes Dry Eye?
The condition is often referred to as keratoconjunctivitis sicca or keratitis sicca. It occurs when you have insufficient and poor-quality tears in your eyes. The common cause of insufficient tear volume is the inflammation of the lacrimal gland. Also, inflammation of the glands at the eyelid and Meibomian gland dysfunction leads to low tear quality. Other causes include oral contraceptives, antihistamines, and decongestants. Changes in hormonal balance can also result in insufficient or low-quality tears. Environmental factors, like wind and smoke, can also cause dry eye. If you stare at a computer screen all day, you’re also at risk for dry eye.
What Are the Symptoms of Dry Eye?
Dry eye discomfort is accompanied by light sensitivity, a burning sensation, and excess eye mucous. You may also experience dryness, itchiness, redness, a stinging sensation, and blurred vision with dry eyes. Other symptoms include excess tearing, a foreign body sensation, contact lens intolerance, and a gritty or sandy sensation.
Who Is at Risk for Dry Eye?
This condition is very common. It is estimated to affect a quarter of the general population. The incidences of dry eye are more common in women and people over 40 years old.
Can Dry Eye Be Treated?
Our experienced eye doctor can treat dry eye. Our team will make sure you are not suffering from any underlying conditions. We may suggest changes to your daily routine that help you avoid triggers of dry eye. We recommend patients with dry eyes increase omega-3 fatty acids in their diet to control the dry eye symptoms. Our optometrist might also prescribe eye drops to help keep your eyes lubricated or restore normal tear production. We will determine the right treatment for you based on the severity of your condition. It is important to get routine eye exams so we can make sure your treatment is working.
Schedule Your Eye Exam Today
The best way to keep your eyes healthy and maintain normal vision is by getting a routine eye exam. At Sylvan Eye Assoc. in Modesto, CA, our optometrist can diagnose and treat dry eye and a variety of other conditions. We want to keep your eyes and vision healthy. To learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment, call us today.