Dry Eye

Dry Eye Management of Chicago Eye Doctor

Dry Eye Syndrome (DES) is increasingly apparent to many Americans. Eye doctors hear complaints of dry, irritated eyes from their patients more and more. Some doctors point to environmental factors as the cause while others believe it to be the aging process.

While we do know the disorder is because of reduced tear production quantity and quality, exactly why it occurs is harder to pin down. A dry, sandy, irritated feeling is what many people notice, along with extreme discomfort while wearing contact lenses.

Why are your tears so important?

Tears have many functions. Not only do they protect the eyeball, but also they are the only vehicles to deliver nutrients to the eye surface (because there is no blood supply there). Not only are they part of your vision (they form the first lens of your eye), your tears also wash the eye clean, and lubricate the eyelid. Contact lenses float along the top of your tear film, not on your eyeball.

Does DES get better? Unfortunately there is no known cure and many of the dry eye causes and symptoms are related to age and it gets worse with age. Also how and where you live, work, and play impacts the quality of your tears. For example, air conditioning in the summer and dry heat in the winter help evaporate your tear. Stress, computer work, contact lenses and LASIK are factors that can lead to dry eyes. Dust, smoke, and skin debris also do not help.

Treatment for dry eyes

For the best analysis and treatment of your dry eyes please consult our optometrists or ophthalmologists. Many treatments start with a test to evaluate the actual severity of your dry eye condition. Drops or punctual plugs are often a first method of treatment. Other options include eye health vitamins and supplements to create a more healthy eye. There are some prescription medications now available such as Restasis. Restasis Ophthalmic Emulsion is the only prescription eye drop indicated to increase tear production which may be reduced by inflammation on the eye surface in patients with Chronic Dry Eye.

Patients suffering with dry eyes must see a physician to take an active role in a possible treatment process that can set them on a path for relief. If you or a family member are experiencing dry eye please make sure to consult a doctor directly. It is important to protect your eyes from further irritation.