Dry eye syndrome is one of the most common chronic eye conditions, affecting over 16 million Americans. While dry eye often improves with simple strategies like using over-the-counter (OTC) eye drops and wearing sunglasses when you’re outdoors, it’s important to know when to seek professional care.
At Wide Eye Optometry in Encino, Santa Clarita, and Palmdale, California, Mary Demirjian, OD, and our expert team specialize in dry eye management, teaching patients how to minimize irritating symptoms and keep their eyes healthy.
Dry eye syndrome affects the eyes’ ability to produce enough tears — or to produce healthy, high-quality tears. Your eyes produce tears constantly to keep the cornea — the outer surface of the eye — moist, and to wash away dirt and debris. Tears also help refract light, ensuring clear vision.
Everyone has dry eyes occasionally; it’s a common side effect of spending time in windy or dry conditions. However, certain symptoms may indicate it’s time to see an eye doctor, including:
Many people with dry eyes experience mild symptoms. For example, your eyes might itch, or it may feel like something gritty is stuck in them, like sand. OTC eye drops typically provide relief, but not always.
If one or both of your eyes are dry, itchy, red, or painful, get in touch with our team ASAP. Without treatment, dry eye can cause more severe ocular issues, such as corneal scarring, blurred vision, and in some cases, even vision loss.
Clear vision plays an important role in various activities, including reading, driving, and using electronic devices. Since dry eye often causes blurry vision and increases sensitivity to light, tasks like driving can become dangerous.
This is especially true at night, when visibility is reduced and glare from headlights can worsen. Similarly, if you work at a computer, staring at the screen for hours at a time may further dry out your eyes and make eye strain worse.
Professional dry eye treatment helps alleviate symptoms promptly, allowing you to live without limits.
OTC eye drops are typically the first line of defense for dry eyes. They can be found at most drug stores and provide quick relief by lubricating the eyes, reducing redness, and helping balance fluid levels for comfort.
However, using eye drops for weeks or months at a time can disrupt your eyes’ natural tear film, which can worsen redness and irritation over time. If that sounds familiar, it’s time to seek expert care for your dry eye problem.
Chronic dry eyes can affect your quality of life and keep you from your favorite activities. The good news is that cutting-edge therapies like Tempsure® Envi can ease symptoms and improve your eyes’ ability to produce healthy, balanced tears.
Ready for long-lasting dry eye relief? Call or click online to schedule a dry eye evaluation at your nearest Wide Eye Optometry office in Encino, Santa Clarita, or Palmdale, California, today.