You depend on your vision every day, but if you suffer from dry eye, you know the negative effect it can have on your life. Dry eyes are uncomfortable, but if you do not seek treatment, you may not be able to participate in your daily activities. At Vista Eye Specialists, our esteemed team of eye doctors is eager to help you receive the high-quality vision care you need. TearCare therapy is available at our practice to help patients experience comforting relief from their dry eye symptoms. Our doctors are extensively trained and possess the expertise and compassion necessary to provide tailored treatment plans to alleviate your dry eye symptoms.
Dry Eye Overview
Dry eye occurs when the eyes are unable to produce an adequate amount of tears to remain moist. It can also be the result of tears that evaporate too quickly or otherwise do not function correctly. It leads to eye discomfort and even problems with vision in certain cases.
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
Meibomian glands line the edges of the eyelids near the lash line. They secrete oil that coat the eyes to prevent tears from drying up too quickly. Each layer of the tear film plays an important role in the health of the eyes. The oil layer is produced by the meibomian glands. The water layer consists of tears that keep the eye clean and free from debris. The mucus layer is the innermost layer of the tear film; it helps tears spread over the eye. When the meibomian glands do not produce the amount of oil needed to nourish the eye as part of the tear film, it can lead to dye eye syndrome as well as eyelid inflammation.
Symptoms of Dry Eye
Symptoms of dry eye include:
- Scratchy sensation
- Sensitivity to light
- Redness
- Foreign object sensation
- Blurry vision, especially when focusing on objects up close
- Eye strain
- Itchy eyes
Dry eye is also associated with several risk factors. If you are 50 years old or older, wear contact lenses, have certain medical conditions such as lupus, or do not get an adequate amount of vitamin A in your diet, you are likely to experience dry eye.
Dry Eye Diagnosis
There are several tests our doctors can perform to help them determine the cause of your dry eye symptoms. These include:
Eye examination: During a routine comprehensive eye examination, you will be checked for signs of dry eye.
Measurement of tear volume: One of our specialists may also check the volume of your tear production using a special test that involves placing strips of paper under the eyelids and measuring the tear-soaked strip after a few minutes.
Tear quality test: Other options include checking the quality of the tears produced using specialized dyes to evaluate the condition of the eye’s surface. With this test, our doctors can confidently measure the length of time it takes your tears to dry up.
About TearCare
For patients with dry eye, TearCare can be used to treat symptoms related to the condition. The TearCare system includes a flexible blink-assisted eyelid device that applies localized heat. When used in conjunction with manual meibomian gland expression, relief from dry eye soon follows.
Contact Us Today
Our experts understand the toll that dry eye symptoms can take on your life. The dry eye treatments available at Vista Eye can offer you relief from burning and redness while boosting the eyes’ hydration level. Contact us today for a consultation.
