Treating Dry Eye in Athens, GA
What is dry eye?
Dry eye is a condition that reduces your tears’ ability to keep your eye lubricated. You experience it when your eyes don’t make enough tears or the tears they produce are of poor quality. When left untreated, dry eye often feels uncomfortable and can damage the surface of your eyes.
What are the symptoms of dry eye?
The symptoms of dry eye include:
- Eye discomfort
- Stinging
- Burning
- Light sensitivity
- Scratchy sensation in your eyes
- Mucus in your eyes
- Eye redness
- Feeling like you have something in your eyes
- Watery eyes
- Problems with night driving
- Difficulty wearing contact lenses
- Eye fatigue
- Blurred vision
You might have dry eye when you’re in an air-conditioned room, outdoors, under a fan, or looking at a computer screen for a long time.
When left untreated, dry eye can increase your risk of eye infections, eye damage, and low quality of life.
What are the risk factors for developing dry eye?
Dry eye can happen to anyone, but the common risk factors include:
- Hormone changes
- Inflamed eyelid glands
- Autoimmune diseases
- Other chronic diseases
- Allergies
- Decreased tear production
- Increased tear evaporation
- Being over 50
- Taking some medications
- Contact lens use
- Nerve damage
- Previous laser eye surgery
- Blinking less often
- Eyelid deformities
- Eye drop preservatives
- Smoky, windy, or dry air
- Vitamin A deficiency
- Being a woman
Things you can do to reduce your risk of dry eye include using a humidifier in the winter and wearing sunglasses when you’re outdoors. You should also take breaks when completing long tasks requiring visual concentration and don’t smoke. Consider using artificial tears regularly.
How does my eye doctor diagnose dry eye?
To determine if you have chronic dry eye that needs treatment, Dr. Gadlin reviews your symptoms, lifestyle, and medical history. He evaluates your eyes, completes a vision test, and offers imaging procedures or tests that measure the volume and quality of your tears.
How is dry eye treated?
Athens Eye Consultants use a multitiered approach for treating dry eye, including a selection of preservative-free artificial tears, punctal plugs, eye inserts, and topical or intranasal medications. Dr. Gadlin personalizes each treatment based on the cause of your dry eye and your needs and preferences.
You might take dietary supplements and wear specialized contact lenses. Treatments include light therapy, eyelid massage, and a minor procedure to reduce tear loss. Dr. Gadlin can refer you to an eyelid surgeon if the cause of your dry eye is an eyelid deformity.
Call the Athens Eye Consultants office or book an appointment online today to get long-lasting dry-eye relief.