Dry Eyes

Dry eyes are one of the most common eye problems, affecting millions of Americans annually. Thankfully, various treatments can improve tear production and relieve uncomfortable symptoms. At Meriden Eye Care, LLC, with offices in Meriden and Fairfield, Connecticut, skilled optometrist Luiza Youssefi, DO, and the team offer complete care for dry eyes, including prescription eye drops and punctal plugs. Call the nearest office to schedule dry eye treatment, or book your appointment online today. 

When should I see an eye doctor about dry eyes?

Everyone has dry eyes occasionally, but if your symptoms continue for more than a week and affect your ability to drive or work, contact the Meriden Eye Care, LLC, team. Dry eyes usually aren’t serious, but identifying the cause provides peace of mind and prevents the problem from worsening.

What are the symptoms of dry eyes?

Dry eye symptoms include:

• A stinging, burning, or scratching sensation in your eyes
• Blurred vision and eye fatigue
• The sensation of having something in your eyes
• Eye redness
• Sensitivity to light
• Difficulty wearing contact lenses

As your dry eyes worsen, you might have difficulty driving at night or looking at computers and other electronics.

What causes dry eyes?

Most cases of dry eyes occur for one of the following reasons:

Decreased tear production

Your eyes produce aqueous fluid (or tears) for lubrication. As you age, tear production slows down, increasing your risk of dry eyes. Certain medical conditions and prescription medications can also affect your eyes’ ability to produce tears.

Increased tear evaporation

The meibomian glands in your eyelids produce an oil that contributes to tear formation, but these glands can become clogged. If that happens, your tears quickly evaporate, preventing adequate lubrication.

Other things that contribute to increased tear evaporation include eye allergies, vitamin deficiencies, and eyelid problems.

How are dry eyes diagnosed?

Your Meriden Eye Care, LLC, provider completes an eye exam and orders several tests to assess the volume and quality of your tears.

If they identify an underlying eye problem that causes dry eyes, like meibomian gland dysfunction or eye allergies, they develop a personalized treatment plan to prevent your symptoms from worsening.

How does an eye doctor treat dry eyes?

The Meriden Eye Care, LLC, team treats dry eyes using a conservative, patient-centered approach. They might suggest:

• Wearing wrap-around glasses outside to prevent your eyes from drying out
• Prescription eye drops like Restasis® to stimulate the production of your natural tears
• Over-the-counter eye drops (for mild cases of dry eyes)
• Punctal plugs to unblock the meibomian glands and increase eye drainage
• Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy

If you have dry eyes due to increased tear evaporation, the team might prescribe treatment with the cutting-edge TearCare® System. This wearable electronic device emits gentle heat waves that unclog your meibomian glands, removing blockages and stimulating tear production.

Call the nearest Meriden Eye Care, LLC, office to schedule dry eye treatment, or book your appointment online today.