Dry Eye Treatment
What is Dry Eye?
Nearly 10 million Americans suffer from dry eye syndrome. Dry eye is a term used to describe a condition where there are not enough tears to adequately nourish or
lubricate the eye. The tears provide for clear vision, nourish and comfort the eye and also help protect the eye from infection.
What are the Symptoms of Dry Eye?
- Gritty/Scratchy eyes
- Burning eyes
- Excess watering
- Blurry vision
- Irritated eyes or the feeling of something in your eyes
How Common is Dry Eye?
Dry eye is a very common condition in the United States. It is particularly common in older adults. The most common form of dry eye is due to an inadequate amount of lipids or fat layers within the tears. This condition is referred to as dry eye syndrome.
What Causes Dry Eye?
Inadequate tear production and poor tear quality are frequent Dry Eye Causes. There are several factors putting people more at risk for dry eye:
- Being over age 65
- Females
- People taking certain medications for things such as blood pressure
- Medical conditions such as Sjogrens, Lupus, Thyroid disease, and arthritis
- Living and working environments exposing individuals to things like smoke, wind or
pollutants - Working on computers for long periods of time
- Long-term contact lens use
When does Dry Eye Occur?
Dry eye can occur at any time during life. It is more common the older a person gets.
How is Dry Eye Diagnosed?
Diagnosing dry eye begins with a comprehensive eye exam at Mt. Hood Eye Care. During this exam, your doctor uses tests to evaluate your tear film layer and the health of your eyelids and glands.
How is Dry Eye Treated?
- Adding tears
- Blocking the tear ducts to preserve tears
- Prescription eye drops
- Nutritional supplements containing fatty acids
- Decreasing inflammation if present
Dr. Turin believes that your eye is an out-pouching of the rest of the body. There are
many natural treatments that will benefit not only the health of your dry eyes but your overall health as well. To discuss natural treatment options as well as a traditional medical treatment for dry eyes, please contact us with questions or to book an appointment.