Are Dry Eyes Tearing You Up?

You probably don’t spend too much time thinking about your eyes until they start to bother you. Dryness, grittiness, or the feeling that something is caught in your eye—all of these sensations can be distracting and put a damper on your day.

This kind of discomfort means you’re probably suffering from dry eye syndrome.

Dry eye syndrome is one of the most common eye conditions. At Vista Eyecare, we can determine the root cause of your dry eye symptoms and find a strategy to help you restore comfortable vision.

It all starts with an eye exam. Book your next appointment with our team today.

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What Is Dry Eye Syndrome?

Dry eye syndrome occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or produce poor-quality tears.

The surface of your eyes is covered with a thin layer of tears (known as the tear film) that keeps them hydrated, healthy, and comfortable. However, certain issues can affect your tear quality or volume, leading to dry eye symptoms.

Your tear film comprises 3 distinct layers, each of which plays a specific role. These layers are:

The Mucin Layer (mucus): The innermost layer is responsible for keeping your tear film adhered to your eye.
The Aqueous Layer (watery): The middle layer is responsible for keeping your eyes hydrated.
The Lipid Layer (oily): The outermost layer of your tear film is responsible for preventing the tear film from evaporating.

Symptoms

Dry eye syndrome can lead to symptoms like:

A gritty sensation or feeling that something is in your eye
Burning
Redness
Bursts of excessive watering
Blurry vision that comes and goes or clears when you blink
Mucus or discharge
Light sensitivity

What Causes Dry Eye Syndrome?

There are many possible underlying causes of dry eyes, so it’s important to have an eye exam to determine what might be giving rise to your symptoms.

Some of the most common causes include:

Aging
Eye conditions like blepharitis and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)
Certain medications
Medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome, thyroid disease, and lupus
Poorly lubricated contact lenses
Laser eye surgery (dry eyes are a common side effect of the surgery)

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction & Blepharitis

A common cause of dry eyes is meibomian gland dysfunction. This occurs when the oil-producing glands in your eyelids (known as the meibomian glands) either become blocked or fail to create good quality oil for your tear film. When the oily layer of your tear film is lacking, your tears generally evaporate more quickly, leading to evaporative dry eye symptoms.

Blepharitis can co-exist with meibomian gland dysfunction and refers to inflammation of your eyelids. Crusty eyelashes and flakes around your eyes are telltale signs of blepharitis. This inflammation further disrupts the tear film, leading to more severe or additional dry eye symptoms.

Our Treatment Strategies

Non-Prescription Eye Drops, Ointment, & Gels

We offer a range of over-the-counter lubricating products to provide the vital tears that your eyes need. We always recommend speaking with one of our doctors before purchasing lubricating drops, gels, or ointments so they can recommend the best one for you.

Prescription Eye Drops

Medicated eye drops available by prescription can only be used to reduce redness and provide relief from burning and irritation.

These drops suppress inflammation and promote healthy tear production. Depending on your particular dry eye causes and symptoms, you should notice an improvement in 1 to 3 months.

Omega-3 Supplements

Omega-3 fatty acids serve several important functions in your body, one of which is helping with dry eye symptoms. We carry two high-quality omega-3 supplement options: one derived from fish oil (Macula 2 TG-Gold) and a microalgae vegan option (NutraVege). Both help promote a stable, healthy tear film.

Eyelid Hygiene Products

We offer several eyelid cleansing products to treat blepharitis and meibomian gland dysfunction, including:

i-Lid ‘n Lash cleanser with and without tea tree oil
ClearChoice hypochlorous spray
We Love Eyes cleansers for lash extensions

In-Office Procedures

If you have meibomian gland dysfunction that does not respond to other treatments, our doctors can gently scrape the openings of your meibomian glands using special tools. Once any obstructing debris is removed, they will apply gentle pressure to open up the glands and promote the flow of oil.

Say Goodbye to Dry Eyes!

If you’re struggling with dry eye symptoms, call our team today! We can help find tailored solutions to restore comfortable vision so you can get back to living.