Understanding Dry Eye: Symptoms, Causes, and Effective Treatments

At Wesbrook Eyecare Optometry, we understand how frustrating and disruptive dry eye can be. This common condition affects millions of people worldwide, and its impact can extend far beyond the eyes, disrupting daily life. In this blog, we’ll explore what dry eye is, its symptoms, the potential causes, and the treatment options available to help manage it.

What is Dry Eye?

Dry eye, also known as dry eye syndrome or keratoconjunctivitis sicca, occurs when your eyes do not produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly. Tears are essential for maintaining eye health, providing moisture, and helping to protect your eyes from dust, debris, and infection. When the balance of tear production and drainage is disrupted, it can lead to discomfort and irritation.

Common Symptoms of Dry Eye

People with dry eye often experience a variety of symptoms that can range from mild to severe. The most common symptoms include:

A dry or gritty feeling in the eyes
Burning or stinging sensations
Redness and irritation
Blurred vision
Excessive tearing, often as a reflex to the dryness
Eye fatigue, especially after extended periods of reading or screen use
Sensitivity to light

These symptoms can be particularly bothersome, making it difficult to focus on daily activities such as reading, working, or even enjoying time outdoors. Over time, the discomfort caused by dry eyes can lead to eye strain, making it more challenging to go about your routine.

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and Dry Eyes

A significant contributor to dry eyes is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD). The meibomian glands, located in the eyelids, are responsible for producing the oils that form the outer layer of the tear film. When these glands become blocked or dysfunctional, the oil production is reduced, causing the tears to evaporate too quickly. This results in the eyes feeling dry, gritty, and irritated. MGD is one of the most common causes of chronic dry eye, and it is often treatable with a combination of warm compresses, eye drops, and advanced therapies like IPL and RF.

How Dry Eyes Can Affect Your Daily Life

Dry eyes can severely impact your quality of life. For example, you might find it harder to wear contact lenses, experience discomfort while driving, especially at night, or struggle with prolonged screen use. The constant irritation can be distracting and lead to increased eye fatigue and even headaches. If left untreated, the discomfort can also worsen, affecting your ability to work, study, or enjoy recreational activities.

What is Dry Eye Therapy?

Dry eye therapy encompasses a range of treatments designed to alleviate the discomfort and irritation caused by dry eyes. The goal of therapy is to restore moisture to the eyes, improve tear quality, and address the underlying causes of dryness. Depending on the severity and cause of your dry eye symptoms, your eye care professional may recommend a combination of solutions aimed at providing relief and promoting long-term eye health.

Dry eye therapy can be divided into several categories, ranging from simple, at-home remedies to more advanced, clinical treatments. Some of these methods focus on lubricating the eyes, while others work to address the dysfunction of the meibomian glands or reduce inflammation that may be contributing to the dryness. Below are some of the most common and effective dry eye treatment options available.

Eye Drops: A primary treatment for dry eyes is the use of eye drops. Preservative-free eye drops are often recommended, as they are gentle on the eyes and reduce the risk of irritation with frequent use. These drops help lubricate the eyes and provide immediate relief from dryness. In some cases, steroid eye drops may be prescribed for a short period to reduce inflammation in the eyes, especially if the dryness is associated with other underlying conditions such as allergies or inflammation.
Warm Compresses: Another simple yet effective treatment is the use of warm compresses. Applying a warm compress to your eyes helps to loosen up any blocked oil in the meibomian glands, which can improve the quality of your tears and reduce symptoms of dryness. Meibomian gland dysfunction is a common cause of dry eyes, as it disrupts the secretion of oil that is essential for keeping the tears from evaporating too quickly.
Intensive Treatments: For individuals with more persistent or severe dry eye symptoms, more advanced treatments may be necessary. These include options like Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy, which uses light energy to help improve the function of the meibomian glands, and Radiofrequency (RF) therapy, which a gentler approach that works by stimulating the glands to produce more oils that help stabilize the tear film. Both treatments can provide long-lasting relief for people suffering from chronic dry eye. Here at Wesbrook Eyecare, we offer RF treatment with our Cynosure TempSure Machine.

Cynosure TempSure Treatment

The Cynosure treatment is a cutting-edge, non-invasive procedure that uses intense pulsed light to treat the underlying causes of dry eye, specifically targeting inflammation and improving tear quality. By stimulating the meibomian glands, this treatment can provide significant relief for those with meibomian gland dysfunction and other underlying causes of dry eye. Best results are found with at least three sessions.

Schedule a Dry Eye Consultation at Wesbrook Eyecare Optometry

If you’re experiencing the symptoms of dry eye, don’t wait to seek help. At Wesbrook Eyecare Optometry, we offer personalized consultations to assess the severity of your condition and recommend the best treatment plan for you. Whether you’re dealing with mild irritation or chronic dry eye, our team is here to help you find relief and restore comfort to your eyes.