Dry eyes, medically known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, occurs when your tear ducts don’t provide adequate tears to effectively lubricate your eyes. This chronic condition usually stems from decreased tear production, increased tear evaporation, or an imbalance in tear composition.

Decreased Tear Production

You may develop dry eyes due to decreased tear production naturally as you age. But you can also have this uncomfortable condition due to:

Regularly staring at a computer screen (computer vision)

Chronic diseases, including diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis

Laser eye surgery

Tear gland damage

Dry eyes from decreased tear production can even be a side effect of certain medications, particularly allergy medications and decongestants. This is why it’s so important to discuss all medications – including over-the-counter varieties – with your optometrist at Limberg Eye Surgery.

Increased Tear Evaporation

Increased tear evaporation means that you probably have enough tears, but they don’t effectively lubricate your eyes. This can happen due to:

Wind, pollution, or dry air

Blinking less often

Eyelid problems

In some cases, increased tear evaporation can stem from both environmental and physical issues, like living in a dry climate and having eyelids that turn out (ectropion).

Imbalance In Tear Composition

Your tears are made from oil, water, and mucus. But if your oil glands (meibomian glands) become clogged, your tears might not have enough oil to adequately lubricate your eyes. In many cases, your optometrist can get to the root of a tear imbalance and correct the underlying issue, so you can start producing healthy tears.

Dry eye issues don’t just leave you with dry, scratchy, red eyes, these complications can lead to other serious issues. Untreated dry eyes can:

Increase your risk of eye infections

Lead to damage of the surface of your eye

Make it difficult to see and perform everyday tasks

The sooner you start treatment for dry eyes, the less likely you are to have these serious complications.

Yes, we treat red, pink, sore and severe dry eyes.

The team of optometrists at Limberg Eye Surgery evaluate your eyes to determine what’s causing your dryness. Depending on the cause, your dry eye treatment can include:

Medications to reduce eyelid inflammation

Eye drops to minimize cornea inflammation

Tear stimulating prescription medications

Daily eye inserts to lubricate your eyes

Punctal plugs

Many dry eye sufferers benefit from punctal plugs. These inserts go right into your tear ducts and block the flow of tears from your eye down into your nose and sinuses. This forces tears, as well as any essential eye drops, to stay on your eyes for longer periods. Before living another day with dry eyes, see how the team at Limberg Eye Surgery can help you. Book your appointment through the online scheduler or call the office.