According to the College of Optometrists, dry eye disease affects approximately 5–30% of those aged 50 years and older. An estimated 3.2 million and 1.68 million women and men age 50 and over are affected by the condition.
Our dry Eye Clinic
Our Dry Eye Appointment Exam includes all the comprehensive evaluations of our basic eye exam, with additional specialized techniques to assess and treat dry eye. Beyond the standard tests, we conduct tear film analysis, evaluate tear production with Schirmer's test, and use specialized staining to detect dry spots on the eye surface. We provide personalized treatment plans to alleviate your symptoms and improve eye comfort.
Causes of Dry Eye
Dry eye occurs when there is a problem with the basal tears. Basal tears are comprised of a lipid, aqueous, and mucus layer. The lipid layer helps prevent the tears from drying too quickly on the surface of the eye. The aqueous layer helps the tears spread evenly over the eyes, and the mucus layer combines with the aqueous layer to help ensure eye hydration. If any of these layers are deficient, symptoms of dry eye can develop. Following are some symptoms that can cause dry eyes.
- Use of certain prescription and over the counter medications
- Age – As we age, the basal tear production in the eyes can reduce. This is why most people who have dry eye are over the age of 50.
- Immune Disorders – Autoimmune disorders can cause dry eyes. Common conditions include Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren’s syndrome.
- Allergies – Seasonal allergies can lead to dry, itchy scratchy eyes.
- Environmental Conditions – Individuals who work in dry, dusty or windy conditions can develop symptoms of dry eye.
Symptoms of Dry Eye
Dry eye can result in a wide range of symptoms. If you have any of the symptoms listed, it is important to call our practice and schedule an appointment to diagnose the causes of your dry eye and develop a dry eye treatment plan.
- Having blurry vision, difficulty seeing at night or a sensitivity to light
- Having eyes that are scratchy or feel gritty when you blink
- Having red eyes or feeling like your eyes are burning
- Sudden intolerance to wearing contact lenses
Dry Eye Treatment
Dry eye treatment starts with a thorough diagnosis that includes an eye exam to test your eye health and visual acuity. Next, our team of Clinical Optometrists will measure the volume and quality of your tears. If there is a problem with your tear production or the composition of your basal tears, a dry eye treatment plan will be developed.
- Eye Drops, and Ointment - For mild to moderate dry eye, our optometrist may recommend eye drops, creams and/or ointments. Eye drops are typically used during the day to keep your eyes hydrated and to reduce symptoms. Creams and ointments are placed in the eyes at night to help keep your eyes hydrated while you sleep.
- Changing Medications - If you have one or more prescription or OTC medications that list dry eye as a side effect, our optometrist may recommend talking to your family doctor about switching to medications that do not cause symptoms of dry eye.
- Temporarily or Permanently Closing Your Tear Ducts - If creams, ointments, and switching medications doesn’t help alleviate your dry eye symptoms, our specialist optometrist may recommend inserting plugs into your tear ducts to close them. The first step usually involves inserting temporary tear duct plugs to see if this helps alleviate your symptoms. If it does, we may recommend permanent tear duct plugs.
If you are having symptoms of dry eye, give our Mike Cees Opticians office a call today at 0117 955 6253 to schedule an appointment.
