Dry eye is common and can make tasks like driving or reading challenging. Not only that, if it is left untreated, the condition can lead to an infection and even vision loss. At Brinegar Eye Car in Bloomington, IN, we provide eye exams to detect dry eye and offer treatment that can preserve your vision.
What Is Dry Eye Disease?
Dry eye is a condition that occurs due to the lack of quality tears, which nourish and lubricate the eyes. If your eyes do not have enough tears, they may become dry and irritated. While dry eye does not advance, it may still lead to serious eye health issues. Therefore, it is important not to ignore any symptoms and see our eye doctor as soon as possible.
What Are the Causes?
As we age, the production of tears slows down. As a result, older people are more likely to suffer from dry eye disease. Sometimes, dry eye can be caused by irritants in the air, certain medications, excessive computer use, and LASIK surgery. Our optometrist can provide an accurate diagnosis and determine what is causing dry eye.
What Are the Symptoms of Dry Eye?
Dry eye can cause various symptoms that can affect your vision. Some common symptoms of the disease include:
- Redness: Due to constant irritation and inflammation, your eyes may become red
- Light sensitivity: Photophobia, or sensitivity to light, is another common symptom. Bright lights can be disturbing for people with this condition and cause additional irritation
- Burning sensation: If you have a burning sensation in your eyes that is not going away, it may be a symptom of dry eye. This symptom can become more intense in certain environments, such as windy or dry conditions
- Blurry vision: Some people with dry eye may find it difficult to focus and their vision might become blurry
- Watery eyes: People with this condition often have watery eyes, which occurs as a response to irritation. However, these tears are often of poor quality and do not lubricate the eyes properly
How Is Dry Eye Treated?
Various treatments are available for dry eye disease. If your case is mild, our eye doctor may recommend that you use artificial tears, which can moisturize your eyes. You may also find punctual plugs beneficial, as they can close tear ducts and eliminate dryness.
Contact us for an Appointment Today!
If you have symptoms of dry eye, our team at Brinegar Eye Care in Bloomington, IN, is happy to help. We can evaluate your condition and provide a personalized treatment plan that will alleviate your discomfort. To learn more about our treatments or to schedule an appointment, contact us at (812) 339-7995 today. We offer care for various eye conditions and are committed to improving your eye health!