Treating Dry Eye: Symptoms and Solutions

Most people experience dry eye symptoms at some point in their lives. But for some people, the irritation becomes persistent, developing into chronic dry eye that can affect their comfort, vision, and overall eye health. Our experienced ophthalmologists at Southwest Eyecare provide dry eye care in Albuquerque, NM, helping patients understand their symptoms and find ways to feel better. Let’s take a look at the basics of this common and persistent eye condition.

What Is Dry Eye Syndrome?

If you’ve ever experienced the gritty, sandy, burning feeling of dry eyes, then you know how miserable it can be. Your eyes might be red and itchy, and they may burn. Some people experience sensitivity to light, eye strain, and blurry vision. They may even have watery eyes as their eyes try to produce enough tears to reverse the dryness. These are all common dry eye symptoms that may become more noticeable in Albuquerque’s dry, high-desert climate.

But although it seems like adding moisture should solve something called “dry eye,” the condition is more complex than that. Dry eye syndrome can occur because the body is not making enough tears, but it is also frequently caused by a problem with the composition or stability of the tear film.

The tears that bathe your eyes are a mixture of water, oil, mucus, antibodies, and proteins. The oil helps stop the water from evaporating too quickly, while mucus helps spread the tears evenly over the eye’s surface. Antibodies and proteins help protect the eyes from infection.

If the composition of your tears lacks any of these elements, the result can be dry eyes. For example, the meibomian glands that supply oil to the tear film can become blocked, preventing the oil from reaching the eye’s surface. At that point, the tears that reach your eyes may evaporate before they can properly soothe and moisturize the tissue. This is known as evaporative dry eye and may be associated with meibomian gland dysfunction.

Problems with tear production or quality can be caused by several conditions and factors, including some autoimmune disorders, hormonal changes, aging, prolonged screen use, certain medications, and exposure to dry air, wind, dust, or smoke.

How Is Dry Eye Diagnosed?

You may be pretty sure from the description that you are suffering from dry eyes, but if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to have your eyes checked by an ophthalmologist. A comprehensive eye examination can evaluate the health of the ocular surface because untreated dry eye can sometimes lead to additional irritation or complications. Other eye conditions may also cause similar symptoms, so an eye doctor should rule them out before recommending treatment.

An ophthalmologist will examine your eyes and may perform dry eye testing to evaluate the thickness, stability, and quality of your tears. They may also test how quickly your eyes produce tears and look for signs of tear-film instability, inflammation, or blocked oil glands.

Once your ophthalmologist has a clear understanding of your condition, they can develop a personalized dry eye treatment plan to relieve your symptoms. If simple lifestyle changes and over-the-counter lubricating eye drops don’t solve the problem, other options may include prescription eye drops and treatments such as punctal plugs, which help retain tears on the eye’s surface.

We’ve cared for many patients with persistent dry eye symptoms at Southwest Eyecare. As anyone who lives in Albuquerque can tell you, New Mexico’s arid climate, wind, dust, and intense sun exposure can be hard on the eyes. It’s important to address symptoms before they become more disruptive. Our team understands the environmental factors that affect local patients and can recommend dry eye solutions based on the underlying cause of each person’s symptoms.

Find Dry Eye Relief in Albuquerque at Southwest Eyecare

Find Dry Eye Relief in Albuquerque at Southwest Eyecare

If you’re suffering from burning eyes, redness, irritation, excessive tearing, or blurry vision, let the skilled professionals at Southwest Eyecare help you. Our ophthalmologists have the expertise and experience to identify potential causes and recommend dry eye treatments tailored to your needs.

Please contact us today for more information or to schedule an appointment with an Albuquerque dry eye specialist.

Dry eyes may seem like a small problem, but persistent symptoms can greatly affect your comfort and quality of life. Southwest Eyecare is here to help patients throughout Albuquerque and the surrounding New Mexico communities achieve clearer, more comfortable vision.

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