San Diego eye doctor
Dry eye is a common condition, and it can be uncomfortable for many sufferers. What causes dry eye? How can this problem be treated?
What are tears made of?
Though tears are made up primarily of liquid (a solution of salts dissolved in water), there is also a lipid (fat) component that helps to prevent tears from evaporating too quickly, and a mucus component that helps to spread tears out over the surface of the eye. Deficiencies of any of these components, or of more than one of them at once, can occur.
Dry eye has many potential causes
People may experience dry eye because the eyes aren’t producing enough tears, because the tears are not spreading evenly over the surface of the eye, or because the tears are evaporating too quickly from the eye. There are quite a few potential causes of dry eye. Some of these include:
- Age. The production of tears naturally decreases with age.
- Environmental factors, including exposure to wind or sun, to irritating substances such as smoke, or to very dry air.
- Hormonal changes. Women are more likely to experience dry eyes during pregnancy or after menopause.
- Certain medications.
- Certain medical conditions, especially those that cause inflammation of the surface of the eye.
- Long-term use of contact lenses.
- Recent LASIK procedure. Many patients have temporary dry eye after laser vision correction, although studies show that this nearly always resolves within six months to a year.
How can dry eye be treated?
Of course, the treatment for dry eye depends on the cause. If there’s an underlying condition that can be treated, then this will take care of the problem. For example, if dry eye is caused by a medication, it may be possible to switch to a different medication. If exposure to wind and sun is causing it, then using eye protection may help. A humidifier in the home can help for some people. If there’s inflammation of the surface of the eye, then anti-inflammatory eye drops can make a big difference.
However, in many cases, it’s not possible to treat the underlying condition, or doing so doesn’t completely resolve the problem. For these patients, dry eye can still be managed, with the goal of increasing the patient’s comfort. The use of artificial tears helps many patients. These are placed into the eye as necessary during the day. Some patients also benefit from using eye drops that help to increase tear production, and some also benefit from taking a nutritional supplement (omega-3 fatty acids).
In certain cases, a minor procedure can also be useful. This involves placing a tiny plug in the duct that drains tears out of the eye. By blocking this duct, tears stay in the eye longer, helping to keep the eye more comfortable. The plugs can be removed later, if they are no longer needed.
Are you suffering from dry eye? Please talk to your San Diego doctor
If you’re experiencing the discomfort of dry eye, it’s a good idea to talk about the problem with an eye health professional. The first step is to determine the source of the problem, and then a treatment plan can be worked out. There’s no reason to continue suffering with dry eye. Please contact our office to make an appointment and begin the process of getting relief.
