Dry Eyes

What are the Symptoms?

The most common signs and symptoms of dry eyes include dry, itchy, scratchy and generally uncomfortable feeling eyes. Also you may experience excessive tearing. This is a natural reflex to comfort the dry eye. Dry eyes left untreated, can harm your eyes. Excessive dry eye can damage tissue and possibly scar the cornea of your eye, impairing vision.

An optometrist can test for dry eyes using special dyes that evaluate the quality and amount of tears. If it is determined that the production of tears is inadequate, artificial tears may be prescribed. These are lubricating solutions that closely resemble normal tears.

If the dry eye is severe enough, night time ointments may also be prescribed. In addition, small plugs may be inserted into the eye's tear ducts to slow drainage and loss of tears. The tear duct may even need to be cauterized shut to maximize the small amounts of tears the body normally produces.

New medications such as the drug Restasis may also be used to combat dry eye syndrome. Finally omega 3 supplements help certain patients by increasing the oil production of the tear glands.

Today there are many options available for dry eye treatment. To determine what works best get an eye health evaluation by an optometrist.

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