Diagnosis and Treatment
Dry Eye
Diagnosis and Treatment
Dry Eye
If you feel a stinging or burning sensation in your eyes, you could be suffering from dry eye. Identifying the root cause of your dry eye is crucial to getting the treatment you need to relieve discomfort. At Lemoncelli Eyecare in Nashville, TN, our eye doctor has the expertise and diagnostic technology to diagnose and treat dry eye disease.
What is dry eye?
Dry eye disease is a condition in which the eyes don’t produce enough tears, or the tears evaporate too quickly. Dry eye causes symptoms like those of allergies, which is why it is often misdiagnosed. Tears help you see clearly, lubricate your eyes, and protect against infection, so proper tear production and drainage are critical to maintaining optimal eye health and vision.
What causes dry eye?
The most common reason people develop dry eye is meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). MGD is an inflammatory disorder of the meibomian glands in your eyelids, which produce lipids that coat your tears to prevent them from evaporating too quickly. When these glands become blocked or clogged with oil, it causes dry eye disease.
Other causes of dry eye include:
- Hormonal changes caused by pregnancy, use of oral contraceptives, and menopause
- Certain medications such as antihistamines and decongestants
- Certain diseases and conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, arthritis, diabetes, or thyroid problems
- Blepharitis
- Exposure to cold, smoke, and dry climates
- Activities like driving, reading, computer use, or watching TV cause you to blink less often, and blinking less can also cause dry eye.
What are the symptoms of dry eye?
The symptoms of dry eye disease can vary from person to person, but some common ones include:
- Dryness or a gritty sensation in the eyes
- Burning or stinging sensation in the eyes
- Redness of the eyes
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Eye fatigue
- Difficulty wearing contact lenses
- Watery eyes, which can be a result of the body’s reflex response to dryness
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to make an appointment with your optometrist immediately.
How is dry eye diagnosed?
During a comprehensive eye exam at Lemoncelli Eyecare, your eye doctor will perform a series of tests to diagnose dry eye disease. Tests may include evaluating your tear quality, volume, evaporation rate, and chemical composition. After the exam, your doctor will develop a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs with the goal of minimizing discomfort and dryness.
How do you treat dry eye disease?
Treatment for dry eye depends on the severity of the condition and the underlying cause(s). Dry eye can be temporary or chronic. If your dry eye is chronic, our optometrist can recommend treatments to help you maintain optimal eye health, reduce dryness and discomfort, and prevent vision impairment.
Common treatments for dry eye include:
- Prescription eye drops to reduce inflammation
- Treating oil glands
- Blinking exercises or proper eyelid hygiene
If an infection is causing your dry eye symptoms, your eye doctor may also prescribe low-dose antibiotics. In more serious cases where other treatments are ineffective, surgery or therapy may be recommended.
With proper care from an experienced professional, dry eye disease can be managed effectively so that you can enjoy comfortable vision. If you suffer from dry eye, our experts are here to help you determine the underlying cause and find lasting relief. Schedule an appointment for a comprehensive eye exam at our office today.
Can dry eye cause blurry vision?
Yes! Probably one of the most common symptoms of dry eye is blurred vision!
Can dry eye cause headaches?
Sometimes. Since dryness can cause blurry vision, the eyes often strain to see clearly which is what can cause the headache. It might feel like a tension headache or pain in and around the eyes.
Can dry eye cause blindness?
No. Dry eyes can make your eyes feel pretty uncomfortable, but will not cause blindness.
Can dry eye cause floaters?
No. Dry eyes do not cause floaters. You can have both dry eyes and floaters at the same time, but one does not cause the other.
What does dry eye look like?
Dry eyes often appear red, and may also have some stringy discharge. The eyelids may also appear thickened and red as well.
Can dry eye cause eye pain?
Yes! Dry eyes may cause a sharp, stabbing pain or a gritty sensation, like the feeling of sand or an eyelash in your eye.
Can dry eye cause double vision?
Not true double vision, but dry eyes can lead to blurred vision or seeing “shadowed” or superimposed images.
Can dry eye cause eye twitching?
Yes. When the eyes are dry, your body compensates by trying to produce more tears, which can lead to more blinking over time. This can in fact start to make your eyes twitch.
Can dry eye be cured?
Yes. There are different causes of dry eyes, and once the cause is identified, there are several treatment options to help improve and eliminate the signs and symptoms of dry eye.
Can dry eye cause dizziness?
Indirectly. If your vision is blurred from dry eyes, it can increase eyestrain which may contribute to dizziness.
Can dry eye cause light sensitivity?
Yes. Light sensitivity is a very common symptom of dry eyes.
Can dry eye cause redness?
Absolutely. Redness is probably the most common symptom of dry eyes.
Can dry eye affect your vision?
Yes. It definitely causes increased blurred vision and eyestrain.
Can dry eye cause styes?
Yes. If your dry eye is caused by poor eyelid hygiene, you will absolutely be more prone to styes.
Can dry eye affect only one eye?
Yes, however, it is more common for both eyes to be affected.
Are dry eyes itchy?
Yes. Itching is a very common symptom of dry eyes.
Why dry eye after LASIK?
People often complain of dry eyes after LASIK surgery, especially if they’ve had dry eyes prior to surgery. The surgery could disrupt communication between some of the peripheral corneal nerves and the glands that produce tears. This is usually a temporary side effect and can be treated with lubricating drops. If you had dry eye before surgery, it’s important to get it under control first. The inflammation that occurs after surgery may also contribute to the symptoms of dry eye.