Dry eye can involve too little watery tear production, excessive evaporation, inflammation, or a combination of problems. Burning, grittiness, fluctuating blur, and watering can have several causes, so an assessment matters before choosing treatment.
Contributing factors
Age, eyelid-gland function, medications, autoimmune conditions, contact lenses, and exposure to wind or dry air can contribute. Long screen sessions may also make symptoms more noticeable. Do not stop prescribed medicine without discussing it with the prescriber.
Choosing treatment
Options may include lubricating drops, changes to daily habits, prescribed medicines, treatment of eyelid-gland dysfunction, or punctal plugs in selected patients. At Midtown, we also offer Thermal 1-Touch warming with gland expression when appropriate. A treatment that helps one cause of dry eye may not address another.
The tear gland (a) makes watery tears. The upper and lower puncta (b and e) are small drainage openings where plugs may be placed. Tears drain through channels (c and f), the sac (d), and the duct (g). This educational diagram illustrates tear-drainage anatomy.Erin Silversmith, based on work by FML · CC BY-SA 2.5 · Resized and converted to WebP; image content unaltered.
Severe pain, light sensitivity, sudden reduced vision, or a red eye while wearing contacts needs prompt assessment. See urgent eye-care advice.
1 Comment
Sean Benton
This post provides valuable information about a common and often underestimated eye condition - dry eye. Organizations like The Tej Kohli & Ruit Foundation tejkohliruit.com are at the forefront of promoting eye health and addressing conditions like dry eye. Their dedication to research, education, and access to quality eye care services is commendable. By supporting initiatives like theirs, we can help ensure that individuals suffering from dry eye and other eye-related issues receive the care and support they need for better eye comfort and overall well-being.
This article was published March 14, 2023. For advice about your own eyes, speak with your optometrist.
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