What is Dry Eye Syndrome?

The majority of people will deal with dry, irritated eyes at some point, but when it lingers for more than a few days or occurs all the time, you might have dry eye syndrome. This incredibly common eye condition is caused by a lack of tears and genetically inherited or can be related to environmental factors. Usually, the uncomfortable symptoms are triggered by a variety of things, including medical conditions, certain medications, or environmental factors. Tears are fundamental to the overall health of the eyes so when they are not present, it can cause extreme discomfort of the eyes and even decreased eyesight. Dry eye syndrome is nearly always caused by an underlying condition, and once the reason is determined, our doctors can dramatically reduce the associated symptoms.



Our expert ophthalmologists provide many different solutions patients dealing with dry eye syndrome. To begin with, our doctors will conduct a thorough eye exam to properly diagnose your dry eye symptoms and determine the underlying cause. To find out more about getting help for dry eye syndrome, contact our office to schedule an appointment.

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Dry Eye Syndrome Form

Patients who have dry eye syndrome often suffer from impaired vision and red, irritated, or burning eyes. Sometimes, patients feel like something is caught in their eyes or they experience serious discomfort when putting in contact lenses. A lot of people who have this condition also feel like their eyeballs feel heavy, sore and can burn. In some cases, they become sensitive to light and have trouble driving at night. Despite how its name sounds, dry eye syndrome can, for some patients, lead to even more tears in an attempt to compensate for the dryness, this is called reflex tearing. Dry eye syndrome symptoms may become constant or reoccur with certain triggers, but frequently, it leads to problems in everyday tasks and activities.

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The major reason for dry eye syndrome is the lack of tears, oils, or a mixture of both. Tear production has three main parts. The lacrimal glands secrete the tears, the meibomian glands secrete the oils within the tears, and the goblet cells blend the two together. Dry eye syndrome can occur whenever any of these three parts of tear production becomes unbalanced. Several different issues can impact each of these components, including hormonal changes, mobile device use, medical conditions like thyroid disorder, and some prescription medications.

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The best approach for diagnosing chronic dry eye syndrome is to receive a comprehensive eye exam. In addition to your symptoms, we will discuss past or current conditions to determine any underlying problems that may cause your eye issues. Your complete eye exam may include measuring the number of tears you generate and reviewing the components of your tears. We will also examine your eyelids, eyes, and corneas using a very small light and magnification lenses. If one of our expert doctors does diagnose you with dry eye syndrome, they will formulate a customized treatment plan based on what works best for your condition.

Book appointment →

Patients who have dry eye syndrome often suffer from impaired vision and red, irritated, or burning eyes. Sometimes, patients feel like something is caught in their eyes or they experience serious discomfort when putting in contact lenses. A lot of people who have this condition also feel like their eyeballs feel heavy, sore and can burn. In some cases, they become sensitive to light and have trouble driving at night. Despite how its name sounds, dry eye syndrome can, for some patients, lead to even more tears in an attempt to compensate for the dryness, this is called reflex tearing. Dry eye syndrome symptoms may become constant or reoccur with certain triggers, but frequently, it leads to problems in everyday tasks and activities.

Book appointment →

The major reason for dry eye syndrome is the lack of tears, oils, or a mixture of both. Tear production has three main parts. The lacrimal glands secrete the tears, the meibomian glands secrete the oils within the tears, and the goblet cells blend the two together. Dry eye syndrome can occur whenever any of these three parts of tear production becomes unbalanced. Several different issues can impact each of these components, including hormonal changes, mobile device use, medical conditions like thyroid disorder, and some prescription medications.

Book appointment →

The best approach for diagnosing chronic dry eye syndrome is to receive a comprehensive eye exam. In addition to your symptoms, we will discuss past or current conditions to determine any underlying problems that may cause your eye issues. Your complete eye exam may include measuring the number of tears you generate and reviewing the components of your tears. We will also examine your eyelids, eyes, and corneas using a very small light and magnification lenses. If one of our expert doctors does diagnose you with dry eye syndrome, they will formulate a customized treatment plan based on what works best for your condition.

Book appointment →

Dry Eye Syndrome Treatment?

Your individualized dry eye treatment is based on the underlying condition causing your dry eyes. Following a comprehensive exam and consultation, we can assess which treatment works best for your needs. A lot of people with mild cases of dry eye can find relief with a prescription or over-the-counter eye drops. These solutions can help increase your actual tears. If your dry eye syndrome is more complicated, we can insert tiny plugs in your tear ducts (called punctal occlusion) to close them off and keep the natural tears in the eye. Other options include hot compresses or for more involved cases we perform a procedure called ILUX. At Visionary Eye Surgeons we have an on staff dry eye specialist that can take care of all of your dry eye issues.

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