Dry Eyes

Anwar Eye Center

Optometrists located in Moundsville, WV

Dry eyes are a common problem with many possible causes. The ophthalmologists and optometrists at Anwar Eye Center in Moundsville, West Virginia, have extensive experience treating dry eyes. They draw on their knowledge to pinpoint the underlying cause of dry eyes and treat them accordingly. If you’re experiencing dry eyes, schedule an appointment online or over the phone today.

Dry Eyes Q & A

What is dry eye syndrome?

Dry eye syndrome means that your tear production isn’t sufficient to lubricate your eyes and protect them from irritants. If you have dry eye syndrome, you might not produce enough tears. In other cases, your tears don’t contain the combination of oils, water, mucus, and proteins necessary to nourish, protect, and cleanse your eyes.

As the name suggests, the telltale symptom of dry eye syndrome is a feeling of dryness in your eyes. Other symptoms of the condition include:

  • Stinging, burning, or scratching sensations
  • Feeling as though an object is stuck in your eye
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Heavy or fatigued eyes
  • Red, bloodshot eyes

Sometimes, your body responds to the irritation in your eyes by producing more low-quality tears. These tears consist mostly of water and don’t remain in your eyes long enough to improve dryness and irritation. That means — as strange as it sounds — that watery eyes are a symptom of dry eye syndrome.

Dry eyes aren’t just unpleasant. They can leave you vulnerable to more serious problems, including infections and eye damage.

What causes dry eyes?

Factors that contribute to dry eyes include but aren’t limited to:

  • Wearing the wrong contact lenses or using the wrong lens care products
  • Spending extended periods of time looking at a phone, tablet, computer, and TV screens
  • A natural age-related drop in tear production
  • Environmental factors, including exposure to dry, windy climates and secondhand smoke
  • Chronic health conditions, including diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid conditions, and lupus
  • Side effects of certain medications
  • Something stuck in the eye
  • Traumatic injury to the eye

More than one of these factors might be contributing to your dry eyes. Treatment usually involves addressing the underlying cause or causes.

How are dry eyes diagnosed and treated?

Dry eyes are a common and easily treatable condition. Your doctor performs an eye exam and evaluates your tear production to diagnose dry eye syndrome and isolate the cause. For example, your eye exam could reveal an eye injury or something in the eye that’s contributing to dry eye syndrome.

Treatment of dry eyes requires addressing what’s causing your symptoms. You might need to change the way you manage a chronic health condition or switch to a medication that doesn’t cause dry eyes as a side effect.

If the problem is with your contact lenses, your doctor can prescribe contacts designed for people with dry eyes.

Dry eyes are often the result of your habits, and many of these habits are easy to change. Simple adjustments like using a humidifier and taking regular breaks when you work on the computer can make a big difference.

To improve your symptoms in the short term, your doctor may recommend over-the-counter lubricating eye drops. In moderate to severe cases, you can use prescription eye drops that stimulate tear production and reduce eye inflammation.

If you’re suffering from dry eyes, schedule an appointment at Anwar Eye Center online or over the phone today.