Understanding Dry Eye Disease

Everyone experiences an occasional bout of dry eyes. A day at the beach, long hours in front of a computer, or even being outside on a windy day can all leave your eyes feeling gritty and uncomfortable. Dry eye disease, however, is different, with symptoms that persist. 

Don’t accept dry eyes any longer than necessary. Daniel Tepper, MD, and his team at Wicker Park Eye Center in Chicago, Illinois, urge patients to take action when symptoms don’t improve in a couple of days. Safe and effective treatments are available. 

What’s dry eye disease?

Dry eye disease, or simply dry eyes, occurs when your body doesn’t produce sufficient tears to properly lubricate your eyes, or when your tears evaporate too rapidly. It’s a common condition that affects people of all ages, although your risk level rises once you reach 50. 

Every time you blink, tears spread across the surface of your eyes. These tears serve several critical functions, including protecting, nourishing, and lubricating your eyes. They also help refract light as it enters the eyes, and even play a role in preventing eye infections.

Issues that can lead to a decrease in tear production include:

• Certain medical conditions, such as lupus or thyroid disorders
• Certain medications, such as hormone replacement therapy or antihistamines
• Aging
• Reduced corneal nerve sensitivity from laser eye surgery or contact lens use

Issues that can lead to an increase in tear evaporation include:

• Conditions that lead to infrequent blinking, such as Parkinson’s disease
• Eyelids that turn in an abnormal inward or outward position
• Posterior blepharitis
• Eye allergies
• Vitamin A deficiency

Determining the cause of dry eyes is usually the first step toward starting a treatment plan. In some cases, however, it’s not possible to identify the exact cause of dry eye symptoms. 

How do you know if you have dry eyes?

Most people know what it’s like to go through a day or two with unusually dry eyes. But dry eye disease is different. The symptoms are more pronounced, and they persist. 

Common dry eye symptoms include:

• Stinging, burning, or scratchy sensations
• Watery eyes
• Red eyes
• Stringy mucus in or near your eyes
• Difficulty driving at night
• Discomfort while wearing contact lenses
• Feeling as though something is in your eye
• Blurred vision, especially when reading
• Increased sensitivity to light

If you experience these changes, take prompt action. Left untreated, dry eye disease can increase your risk of eye infections and damage to the surface of your eyes. 

Treating dry eye disease

In many cases, relief comes from treating the underlying condition causing your dry eyes. That could mean changing your medications, controlling an underlying medical issue, or surgically correcting a physical eyelid abnormality. 

You might benefit from prescription eye drops. Some reduce inflammation on the surface of your eyes, while others help you generate more tears. We can also place small inserts in your eye that release a lubricating substance throughout the day. 

Another approach involves inserting tiny plugs to block the tear ducts that allow tears to drain from your eyes. That keeps more of your natural tears in place to lubricate and nourish your eyes. 

Ready to deal with your dry eyes? Contact Wicker Park Eye Center by phone or online today.