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Dry Eyes

If you frequently have dry eyes, you are definitely not alone. More than 16 million people have dry eye disease and many more simply live with the discomfort. If you are one of the many battling against dry eyes on your own, it is time to reach out for help. Your eye doctor can track down the cause and offer treatment options that will have you seeing clearly and comfortably in no time flat.

Dry Eyes

If you frequently have dry eyes, you are definitely not alone. More than 16 million people have dry eye disease and many more simply live with the discomfort. If you are one of the many battling against dry eyes on your own, it is time to reach out for help. Your eye doctor can track down the cause and offer treatment options that will have you seeing clearly and comfortably in no time flat.

Dry Eye Symptoms

When affected by dry eyes, you are likely to experience the most common symptoms in both eyes at the same time. Initially, you might feel like you have an eyelash in your eye without finding any sign of one.

Soon after, you might notice:

  • Stinging
  • Burning
  • Light sensitivity
  • Mucus discharge
  • Redness
  • Swelling
  • Blurred vision
  • Eye fatigue
  • Watery eyes

It is also common for your eyes to start to water excessively to compensate for the lack of tears. The excessive tearing and mucus discharge can make it difficult to see clearly, especially while driving at night.

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Causes of Dry Eye Syndrome

When your eyes do not produce enough quality tears, dry eyes become an everyday occurrence. There are a number of reasons your eyes might cease adequate tear production, such as:

  • Diabetes, lupus, and other health conditions
  • Taking medications with dry eyes as a side effect, like decongestants
  • Damage to the tear glands
  • Difficulties fully closing the eyelid
  • Growing older

No matter the cause, your eye doctor can help you resolve the issue or compensate for the lack of tears.

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Dry Eye Treatments

Serum Tears

Serum tears are made from a small sample of your own DNA to fit your unique biology. The sterile, preservative-free solution acts as a tear substitute, and contains many important growth factors and nutrients normally found in healthy tears. Because of the design, this solution does not burn, tingle, or itch when used.

Eyelid Expression

Eyelid expression is an in-office procedure that opens the glands and stimulates new tear production in your eyes.

Punctal Plugs

Punctal plugs keep your natural tears on your eyes longer by blocking the tear ducts through which the tears normally drain. The tear ducts are filled with tiny silicone or gel-like plugs that can be removed, if needed, keeping your eyes moist instead of dry.

Prescription Eye Drops

While many over-the-counter artificial tears will help to temporarily lubricate and soothe dry eyes, they do not resolve the root cause. Your doctor may prescribe an eyedrop that works to improve the production and quality of your tears instead.

Special Contact Lenses

 

The ideal treatment will depend on the cause along with your health history and preferences. If severe dry eye isn’t treated, it can sometimes damage your cornea, the outer layer of your eye. If you are ready to get help for dry eyes, simply contact Kleiman Evangelista Eye Centers at (800) 714-2020 to request an appointment.

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