Dry eyes

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Dry Eyes Q & A

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What are dry eyes?

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Dry eyes occur when your eyes aren’t able to produce enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly. Dry eyes are a common chronic problem that interferes with many activities of daily living, including reading and watching television.

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What are the common symptoms of dry eyes?

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Dry eye symptoms vary in type and severity but often cause eye discomfort. Common symptoms include:

• Dry, itchy eyes

• Scratchy, irritated eyes

• Burning sensation

• Eyes feel gritty

• Sensitivity to light

• Blurry vision

• Eye fatigue

• Difficulty driving at night

• Watery eyes

• Red eyes

If you’ve been experiencing these symptoms and they haven’t improved with at-home care, contact the team at Beraja Medical Institute for an evaluation and treatment plan. 

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What causes dry eyes?

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Dry eyes develop from many causes. Some of the most common include:

• Hormonal changes

• Medications (cold or allergy medication)

• Dry environment (wind or air conditioning)

• Exposure to the sun

• Smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke

These factors affect the quality or quantity of your tears. 

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How are dry eyes diagnosed?

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The board-certified ophthalmologists and optometrists at Beraja Medical Institute offer comprehensive exams to diagnose dry eyes. During your exam, your doctor reviews your symptoms and medical history and completes a comprehensive eye care exam to assess your vision and eye health.

Your doctor focuses your exam on identifying the underlying cause of your dry eyes, so you get the most effective treatment. 

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How are dry eyes treated?

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The board-certified ophthalmologists and optometrists at Beraja Medical Institute develop individualized treatment plans for dry eyes based on the underlying cause. The team, however, likes to keep you active and not dependent on medications. 

Your treatment plan may include:

• Over-the-counter artificial tears

• Antibiotics

• Antiseptic soaps

• Anti-allergic medications

If conservative measures fail to improve your dry eyes, the team may suggest the insertion of plugs, which help you keep more of your natural tears to reduce your symptoms.

If a droopy lower eyelid is responsible for your dry eyes, the team may recommend ectropion surgery, which is a surgical procedure that restores your lower lid back to its normal position.

For relief from your dry eyes from an experienced team, contact Beraja Medical Institute by phone or request an appointment online today.

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