If you suffer from dry eye, you know it can be debilitating and frustrating. It is important to seek treatment for dry eye to ensure you don’t have any underlying health conditions. At Wight Eye Care in Loves Park, IL, we can help. Our optometrist, Dr. Donald Wight, will diagnose your condition and provide the proper treatment. We want to keep your eye health and vision at their best. Here are some commonly asked questions about dry eye.
What is dry eye?
Dry eye describes an abnormality within the tear film. Chronic dry eye, dry eye disease, and dry eye syndrome are other common terms for dry eye. If you have dry eyes, it may not necessarily mean that your eyes are in fact dry. Many people that suffer from dry eyes also have watery eyes. Issues with the tear film is a characteristic of having dry eye. The tear films come from multiple sources, thus any disruption to these sources can affect lubrication of the eye, causing dry eye.
What causes dry eye?
There are two common factors that can lead to dry eye. One reason being that the glands within your eyelids do not produce enough oil to keep your tears from evaporating. The second reason is that if you do not produce enough water for healthy tears to form, dry eyes can occur. Regardless of what is causing your dry eye symptoms, it is important to seek help from our optometry office to have it properly diagnosed to further protect your vision.
What are common symptoms associated with dry eye?
Dry eye can cause many symptoms, including:
- Irritation
- Dryness
- The feeling of debris or grit inside the eye
- Sensitivity to light or water
- Blurred vision
- Burning sensation
- Tired eyes
- Discharge upon waking
How are dry eyes diagnosed and treated?
There are many tests used to diagnose dry eyes. Regular eye exams are recommended to screen for dry eyes, but an assessment may also be conducted to measure tear volume within your eyes. Symptoms alone can also play a role in diagnosing dry eye. Do not assume that your symptoms are normal until you have been given an eye exam.
There is no cure for dry eye. However, there are treatment methods that can help patients manage their condition much easier. Our optometrist can provide you with eye drops or medications to help with your dry eye. If your condition is more severe, we will discuss your options
Visit Our Optometrist in Loves Park, IL for Dry Eye Treatment
If you are suffering from dry eye, we can help. At Wight Eye Care, our optometrist, Dr. Wight, will diagnose and treat your condition. Call us today to schedule an appointment.