Understanding Dry Eye Syndrome: Symptoms and Causes

Dry eye syndrome can cause uncomfortable signs and symptoms and affect your vision. Your ophthalmologist can help. The ophthalmologists at Vision Institute in Colorado Springs, CO, offer comprehensive eye care services, including diagnosing and treating dry eye syndrome.

What You Need To Know About Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry eye syndrome is often due to inadequate tear production. It can become a chronic problem or a temporary condition that happens when you are in an air-conditioned room, on an airplane, riding a bike, or looking at a television, computer, or other device for a long period of time.

When you have dry eye syndrome, you may experience:

• Red, stinging, burning, or scratchy eyes
• Mucus developing in or around your eyes
• Light sensitivity or problems with driving at night
• Tired or watery eyes or blurred vision

If you are experiencing any of the signs or symptoms listed above, you should visit your ophthalmologist for an eye examination to determine if you have dry eye syndrome.

Your ophthalmologist may recommend treatment to manage an underlying condition causing your dry eyes. Additional treatments are designed to keep eyes hydrated by keeping tears from draining away too quickly or improving the quality of your tears. Dry eye syndrome may be treated with one or more medications, including:

• Medications to reduce eyelid inflammation, including antibiotics
• Eyedrops containing cyclosporine to reduce inflammation of your corneas
• Eye inserts containing hydroxypropyl cellulose, which release artificial tears
• Medications to stimulate tears, including cholinergics

Other treatments for dry eye syndrome include:

• Closing or plugging the tear ducts to keep from losing tears
• Special contact lenses for dry eyes
• Light therapy using Intense Pulsed Light
• Amniotic Membrane to speed healing of the eye surface
• Nutritional supplements to build tear film

Want To Know More About Dry Eye Syndrome?

To learn more about the causes, signs, symptoms, and treatment of dry eye syndrome, call the ophthalmologists at Vision Institute in Colorado Springs, CO. You can reach them in the office by calling (719) 559-2020, so call today.