Dr. Stolte of Stolte Eye Center located in Spring Hill Florida is an ophthalmologist specializing in Dry Eye treatment. Please contact our office to schedule your evaluation.

Dry Eyes

Dry eyes are a very common condition. It occurs when tears don’t produce adequate lubrication for your eyes. Inefficient tear production can have many reasons and can occur when your tear glands (lacrimal glands) either don’t produce enough tears or produce poor quality tears. Dry eyes feel very uncomfortable, and you can experience them in certain situations, such as in an air-conditioned room while watching TV or looking at a computer screen for longer periods of time. You are also more likely to have a dry eye if you wear contact lenses, recently had LASIK eye surgery, or use two or more glaucoma eye drops. Quite often, thyroid dysfunction and the hormonal changes associated with menopause can cause dry eye. Treatments for dry eyes offer relief and make you feel more comfortable and they include lifestyle changes, eye drops, and some minor procedures.

Symptoms

• Usually, both eyes are affected and the symptoms may include:
  
• Light sensitivity
  
• Burning, stinging or scratchy sensation in your eyes
  
• Eye redness
  
• Difficulty wearing contact lenses
  
• Difficulty driving at nigh
  
• Blurred vision
  
• Watery eyes

It is recommended to see your doctor if you have had signs and symptoms of dry eyes, including tired and irritated eyes.

Causes

Tears consist of three different layers, oil, water, and mucus, and inefficiency in any or all of these layers will cause dry eyes. The mixture keeps the surface of your eyes clear and smooth and helps to protect them from infection.

Tear evaporation

Increased tear evaporation is one of the reasons for dry eyes and they can be caused by:

• Not blinking frequently enough which can happen when you are concentrating while watching TV, reading or using a computer
  
• You have eyelid problems such as ectropion which is out-turning of the eyelids, and entropion which is in-turning of the eyelids.
  
• Dry air, wind or smoke
  

Decreased tear production is another cause for dry eyes and it’s because your tear glands are not producing enough tears. Common causes of decreased tear production include:

• Aging
  
• Certain medical conditions such as diabetes, lupus, arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, scleroderma, thyroid disorders
  
• Vitamin A deficiency

Certain medications, including antihistamines, drugs for high blood pressure, decongestants, hormone replacement therapy, antidepressants, and acne, birth control, and Parkinson's disease

Laser eye surgery such as LASIK can cause dry eyes, but they tend to be temporary

Diagnosis

A variety of tests to determine if you are suffering from dry eye include a comprehensive eye exam, determining what the quality of your tears is and measuring the volume of your tears.

Treatment

Eyedrops are some of the most known and most widely used remedies for a common dry eye, but they offer only temporary relief. In patients with chronic dry eye, additional treatment options are available such as:

• Prescription medication
  
• Closing off of your tear ducts (partially or completely)
  
• Using special contact lenses
  
• Light therapy and eyelid massage
  
• Unblocking oil glands
  
• Surgery procedure (if the patient suffers from entropion or ectropion of the eyelid)

In some patients, dry eyes are a side effect of taking certain medication, in which case the condition can be treated by your doctor switching the medication to one that doesn’t cause dry eye.

Stolte Eye Center