Dry Eyes

While dry eye disease is a prevalent problem affecting over 5 million people in the United States, the symptoms can dramatically impact the quality of life. Orest Krajnyk, MD, Sean McLoughlin, OD, and the compassionate team at Precision Eye Institute aim to reduce patient discomfort and preserve eye health and quality of life through thorough, comprehensive evaluation and innovative treatment of dry eyes. With three convenient locations in Edgewater, New Smyrna Beach, and Daytona Beach, Florida, call the office nearest you to schedule your appointment or request one online today.

What is dry eye?

Dry eye is a disease process resulting in a declining quantity or quality of the tears produced. When tear glands are not creating enough tears or producing the right tears, this phenomenon causes irritation, scratchiness, burning, redness, and discomfort.

What causes dry eyes?

Dry eyes generally result from tear deficiency, where lacrimal glands produce insufficient tears to keep the eye's surface hydrated, tears don’t have the suitable composition to hydrate the eye well, or tears evaporate rapidly due to inflammation of glands in the eyelids.

The causes of dry eye include:

• Use of certain medications
• Excessive or insufficient vitamin intake
• Long-term contact lens use
• LASIK surgery to correct refractory errors
• Pregnancy
• Meibomian gland dysfunction and other diseases of the eyelid glands
• Skin disease near eyes or eyelids
• Allergies
• Increased surface area caused by Grave’s eye disease

There are many more potential causes of dry eyes. The best way to determine the cause is through thorough evaluation and testing.

What are the symptoms of dry eyes?

Patients with dry eyes often report feeling desperate for alleviation. While dry eyes rarely cause vision loss, living with the symptoms can be challenging without adequate treatment. 

Symptoms can include:

• Burning and stinging
• A sandy feeling
• Feeling the sensation of a foreign object
• Eye fatigue
• Heaviness in the eyelids
• Eye pain and redness
• Discharge from the eye
• Intolerance for contact lenses
• Periodic blurred vision

If you think you may be experiencing dry eyes, contact Precision Eye Institute. The compassionate team can answer any questions or concerns you may have.

Do dry eyes go by any other names?

Dry eyes can also be named based on the cause. Other names include the following:  

• Keratoconjunctivitis (KCS)
• Lacrimal keratoconjunctivitis
• Dysfunctional tear syndrome
• Evaporative tear deficiency
• LASIK-induced neurotrophic epitheliopathy (LNE)
• Aqueous tear deficiency

All of these conditions are variations of dry eye syndrome.

Is it important to have dry eyes treated?

Yes, untreated, dry eye puts the patient at increased risk of chronic pain, corneal ulcers, and even some degree of vision loss. Dry eyes sometimes signal an underlying health concern.

Precision Eye Institute offers LipiScan®, a noninvasive procedure that helps doctors see and analyze the health of your Meibomian glands. This technology is used to diagnose gland dysfunction (MGD), which indicates a blockage or an abnormality of the glands.

Dry eye treatments can include the following:

• Lipiflow®
• Preservative-free dry eye drops
• Preservative-free dry eye spray

The team works with you to develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs and lifestyle.

Don’t wait another minute. Call Precision Eye Institute to schedule your dry eyes clinic appointment or request one today using the online booking tool.