If you cannot find the answer to your dry eye question, please contact us
Suffering from dry, irritated eyes? OptoDoc is here to provide you with valuable information and guidance on understanding and managing dry eye syndrome. Find answers to common questions about the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for this common eye condition.
Your dry eye questions
The most asked questions about dry eye
What is dry eye?
In medical terms, dry eye is lovingly known as "KERATOCONJUNCTIVITIS SICCA". The tear film consists of three layers: A superficial lipid (oily) layer which decreases evaporation, a middle aqueous layer which contributes 90% of the tear film and a deep mucin layer, which facilitates spreading of the tears over the cornea.
Can watery eyes be a symptom of dry eyes?
Yes. As odd as it sounds, many dry eye sufferers experience “wet eyes” due to the tear glands overproducing watery or reflex tears to compensate for lack of a balanced tear film.
How do you treat dry eyes?
Treatment for KCS involves three essential components:
- Stimulation of tear production. Tear production is best stimulated by the topical administration of drops or ointments to the eyes. Usually 4-6 weeks (sometimes longer) is required for tear production to improve. Usually treatment must be continued for life to maintain tear production, but it is possible in some cases to reduce usage. This is especially true if KCS is detected early before severe drying is present.
- Control of ocular inflammation and infection through the topical application of an antibiotic-steroid preparation. Occasionally antibiotics may be given orally.
- Tear replacement until return of normal tear secretion.
What if I don’t treat dry eyes. Can I lose my vision?
If untreated, dry eyes can progress to a more irritable, troublesome condition called chronic conjunctivitis. It can cause considerable trouble, and dry eyes can lead to loss of sight due to corneal scarring, so delaying treatment is not recommended.
Is there treatment for corneal scarring caused by dry eyes?
When patients experience corneal scarring from dry eyes, sight may be restored by corneal transplants. However, the original cause of the scarring should be addressed to prevent a recurrence of vision loss. Research and development of human corneal skin grafts to repair severe corneal damage are of great interest to us.
What can I do to prevent or control Dry Eye Syndrome?
Have annual eye exams. See us immediately if you notice dry eye symptoms or any decline in your vision.
If you cannot find the answer to your dry eye question, please contact us
We hope that our Dry Eye FAQ section has provided you with helpful information to better understand and manage dry eye syndrome. At OptoDoc, our dedicated team of eye care professionals is here to support you in finding relief and improving your eye comfort.
If you are experiencing symptoms of dry eye or have concerns about your eye health, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with our experienced optometrists. They will conduct a thorough evaluation, discuss your symptoms and lifestyle factors, and recommend the most appropriate treatment options to alleviate your discomfort.
