Dry Eyes Specialist

What are the symptoms of dry eyes?

Dry eyes typically cause obvious symptoms for the patient, including:

• Pinkness of the eyes
• Stringy mucus near or in the eyes
• Stinging, burning, or gritty sensation in the eyes
• Foreign body sensation in the eyes
• Watery eyes
• Blurred vision
• Sensitivity to light

Some patients with dry eyes may experience 1 or 2 mild symptoms, while other patients may notice significant impairment.

What causes dry eyes?

Dry eyes often occur when the patient’s tear film is unbalanced and unable to provide enough lubrication for the eyes. In some cases, the cause is an inability to produce enough tears. In other cases, the patient simply produces poor-quality tears.

Dry eyes are more common in women than men, and they may be more likely in patients who wear contact lenses. This condition is also more likely to occur in people older than 50. In addition, patients may be at a higher risk of developing dry eyes if they don’t consume enough omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin A or are dehydrated or are undergoing chemotherapy.

How are dry eyes diagnosed?

To confirm a diagnosis of dry eyes, the doctors at Friedberg Eye Associates will usually begin with a comprehensive eye exam. They may also measure the volume of the patient’s tears and/or perform tests to evaluate the quality of the patient’s tears and have a special imaging test to evaluate the glands in the patient’s lid.

Many cases of dry eyes are related to problems with the glands in the eyelid. At Friedberg Eye Associates, doctors use Dynamic Meibomian Imaging to evaluate the patient's glands and look for anomalies.

How can Friedberg Eye Associates help?

Most patients with mild dry eyes improve their symptoms with over-the-counter eye drops and a regimen of hydration and lid scrubs. However, in cases where dry eyes are more severe, the doctors at Friedberg Eye Associates may recommend other treatments. For example, doctors may prescribe prescription drops to stimulate the production of tears, control inflammation of the eyelids, or control inflammation of the cornea. They may insert various types of punctal plugs or utilize neuromodulators. The doctors can advise patients about different cosmetics and nutritional advantages such as PRN Omega 3.Friedberg Eye Associates is among few in the area who can provide the Lipiflow procedure, which unblocks oil glands.

Every patient is different, but Friedberg Eye Associates is a dry eye center of excellence dedicated to helping each patient deal with this condition. The doctors at Friedberg Eye Associates will be able to help individual patients find the treatment or combination of treatments that works best for them.

Are dry eyes dangerous?

Dry eyes may not cause any complications for some patients. However, dry eyes can decrease the patient’s quality of life, cause damage to the surface of the eye, or lead to an eye infection and possibly compromise vision.