Dry Eye Specialist
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Goetzinger Eye Institute
Ophthalmologist located in Riverdale, GA
Dry eye is a condition that develops when you don’t produce sufficient tears to keep your eyes lubricated. It’s often uncomfortable and inconvenient, but fortunately, there are great dry eye solutions available at Goetzinger Eye Institute in Riverdale, Georgia. Use the online appointment maker or call the location most convenient to you for dry eye relief now.
Dry Eye Q & A
What is dry eye?
Dry eye syndrome, often simply called dry eye, is a condition resulting from inadequate tear film in your eyes. When your eyes are healthy, your basal tears — a blend of water, lipids, and mucin — cover your cornea to keep it continuously lubricated.
Without that tear film, your eyes can quickly get dry. Along with the dryness, you may also have other eye issues including:
- Discomfort or pain
- Light sensitivity
- Redness
- Blurry vision
Dry eye syndrome can also cause watery eyes. These tears are reflex water caused by irritation, so they lack the lipids and mucin needed for healthy tears.
What causes dry eye?
There are many possible causes of dry eye because a number of things can affect your basal tear production. Possible causes of dry eye include:
- Medications: Hypertension drugs, antihistamines, hormone supplements, and others
- Age: Aging causes a decrease in tear production
- Sex: Women are more susceptible to dry eye, mainly due to hormone changes
- Screen time: Extended computer, tablet, or phone use without breaks
- Eyelid conditions: Entropion or ectropion, which expose or agitate the cornea
- Allergies: Pollen, dust mite, and other allergies
Your dry eye treatment will depend partly on the cause of the condition, so your eye doctor at Goetzinger Eye Institute will start by discussing your symptoms and possible causes with you.
How is dry eye treated?
In some cases, artificial tears can resolve dry eye symptoms quite effectively. Corticosteroid eye drops may alleviate eye inflammation, but they’re only for short-term use.
Two drugs, cyclosporine and lifitegrast, are FDA-approved for dry eye. Both drugs come in an ophthalmic solution that you use in the same way as other eyedrops.
Punctal plugs may be a good option if eyedrops don’t help. The plugs, which are made of collagen or silicone, block your tear ducts to prevent drainage. This preserves your tear film and relieves your dry eye problems. Collagen plugs dissolve naturally over several months, while silicone plugs stay in your tear ducts until they’re surgically removed.
In severe cases, a surgery called thermal punctal cautery can permanently seal your tear ducts to stop your dry eye symptoms.
Use the online scheduler or call the Goetzinger Eye Institute location closest to you for dry eye help now.
