Dry Eye

What is dry eye?

Dry eye syndrome, or simply dry eye, is a common problem in which your eyes don’t get enough moisture, or you have poor quality tear film. 

Your tear film is the thin layer of tears that coats your eyes when you blink. Healthy tear film includes mucus, water, and oils. These three layers combine to protect, lubricate, flush debris away, and maintain a smooth eye surface. 

If you have dry eye, there’s a problem with one or more layers of your tear film. This can lead to a number of irritating and highly uncomfortable symptoms. 

What are the symptoms of dry eye?

If you have dry eye, you may have issues such as:

• Stinging eyes
• Eye grittiness
• Eye redness
• Burning eyes
• Light sensitivity
• Stringy eye mucus 
• Pain when wearing contacts
• Tired eyes

Dry eye can also cause watery or frequently teary eyes. But those tears are simply a reaction to intense irritation and are primarily water, so they can’t restore your natural eye moisture. 

What causes dry eye?

Dry eye has many causes, with the most common ones including age-related eye changes, Meibomian gland dysfunction, systemic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, hormone fluctuations, and medications like antihistamines. 

The Maryland Eye Care Center team performs an eye exam, reviews your medical history, and runs diagnostic testing to assess your tear production, tear quality, and corneal surface. With this information, they can diagnose your condition and the cause behind it. 

How is dry eye treated?

Maryland Eye Care Center offers effective dry eye treatment options, including: 

Artificial tears

Oasis TEARS® is a preservative-free eye solution that lubricates your eyes to relieve grittiness, dryness, and other dry eye symptoms. You squeeze Oasis TEARS directly into your eye, a drop or two at a time as needed for dry eye relief. 

Punctal plugs

Punctal plugs are tiny inserts that fit in your tear ducts. They stop tear drainage to conserve your natural tears and maintain eye lubrication. 

Collagen punctal plugs dissolve over a period of days or months, based on your needs. Hydrogel and silicone plugs are a long-term solution that your eye doctor inserts and removes. 

The Maryland Eye Care Center team also recommends changes in your home, such as using a humidifier and avoiding dry areas, to reduce your dry eye symptoms. 

Maryland Eye Care Center personalizes your dry eye treatment to get you comfortable right away. Call the office nearest you or book an appointment with online scheduling.

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