Dry eye disease is a condition that is quickly becoming an epidemic. Twenty percent of Americans have dry eye disease and it’s expected to grow to almost forty percent within 10 years. There are many causes of dry eye. It affects those who wear contact lenses and eye makeup and patients who may take antihistamines for allergies and/or systemic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, lupus, arthritis, or rosacea. Many dry eye patients are affected by their daily activities, such as smartphones, computer use, reading, or even outdoor activities like hiking.

CAUSES OF DRY EYE DISEASE

Dry eye disease is inadequate moisture on the surface of the eye. This can be the result of many factors, such as:

BLEPHARITIS — Simply put, blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelid margin, resulting from an overgrowth of bacteria. This leads to chronic inflammation and an unstable tear film. Click here to learn more about blepharitis.

AQUEOUS DEFICIENT — When the lacrimal gland fails to produce enough tears, the ocular surface becomes dry and lacks the components needed to provide comfort and clear vision.

MEIBOMIAN GLAND DYSFUNCTION — Meibomian glands line the upper and lower eyelids and secrete oil into the tear film, preventing tear evaporation and dry eyes. Meibomian gland dysfunction is obstruction of these oil glands. Without the proper oil component, the tear film will become unstable, causing symptoms of dry eye.

SYMPTOMS OF DRY EYE DISEASE

• Gritty or sandy sensation
• Watery eyes
• Burning
• Stinging
• Itching
• Redness
• Fluctuating vision
• Blurry vision
• Sensitivity to light
• Discomfort with contact lenses
• Eyelids stuck together when awakening
• Sties along the eyelid

TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR DRY EYE DISEASE

The first step in determining the treatment is to determine the exact type of dry eye that you may suffer from. Once this is determined, the doctors at Summit Eye Care can more efficiently treat the exact type of dry eye that you suffer from. This may include:

• Prescription eye drops, such as Retasis, Xiidra, or Autologous Serum
• Nutritional or vitamin supplements
• Punctal plugs
• Blephex to reduce bacterial load of the eyelid margin
• Lipiflow to clear obstructions in the oil glands of the eyelid
• Meibomian Gland probing
• Intense Pulsed Light to help reduce inflammation
• Amniotic Membrane to repair a damaged corneal surface secondary to dry eye disease