Combat Dry Eye Disease: Causes, Treatment, and Relief Strategies
Dry eye disease (DED) is a chronic condition resulting from insufficient tear production or excessive tear evaporation, leading to discomfort. It affects millions worldwide, causing symptoms like redness, irritation, and blurred vision. Our team is dedicated to providing personalized solutions to alleviate these symptoms and improve your overall eye health.
The symptoms of dry eye disease can vary from person to person and may include:
Dry, itchy eyes
Burning or stinging sensation
Irritation
Watery eyes
Blurred vision
Pain
Feeling of a foreign body in the eye
Frequent eye infections
The Importance of Tears for Eye Health
Tears play an essential role in maintaining the health of the cornea and overall eye comfort. They wash away foreign objects, keep the eye moist, and protect against bacterial infections. When tear production is inadequate, individuals may experience a scratchy sensation, continuous dryness, and excessive tearing as a response to the condition.
What Causes Dry Eye Disease?
Dry eye can be caused by a variety of factors, such as:
- Aging
- Hormonal changes, especially in women undergoing pregnancy, taking oral contraceptives, or experiencing menopause
- Certain medications, like antihistamines, blood pressure drugs, and antidepressants
- Environmental factors, such as dry, dusty, and windy climates
- Excessive screen time
- Specific medical conditions like diabetes, blepharitis, lupus, arthritis, and thyroid problems
- Eye surgery
- Prolonged contact lens use
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)
Most cases of dry eye are caused by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), which is a common condition where the meibomian glands in the eyelids don’t produce enough quality oil to lubricate the eyes effectively. These glands are responsible for producing the lipid layer of the tear film, which helps prevent excessive evaporation of tears and maintains the stability of the tear film on the eye’s surface.
When the meibomian glands don’t function properly, the tear film becomes unstable, leading to increased evaporation and insufficient lubrication.
Diagnosing Dry Eye Disease
Dry eye is typically diagnosed during a comprehensive eye exam where an eye doctor will ask you for a description of symptoms. Additional tests, like the tear break up time (TBUT) test and the Schirmer test, may be performed to assess tear evaporation rate and moisture levels.
Dry Eye Treatment
Treatment options for dry eye depend on the underlying cause and the severity of the condition. Mild cases can often be managed with over-the-counter artificial tears or lubricant eye drops. If symptoms persist, prescription drops that stimulate tear production or short-term steroids may be recommended.
For more severe cases, punctal inserts containing slow-release lubricants might be inserted into the lower eyelid. Managing eyelid inflammation (blepharitis) with heated compress masks, specialized eyelid scrubs, or antibiotics can also be effective.
Addressing environmental factors, such as dry air and allergens, and maintaining proper eye hygiene can also help alleviate symptoms. If your dry eye is related to certain medications or contact lens use, adjusting or discontinuing them may be necessary to provide relief.
At Ada Vision Center, we also offer BlephEx™ and iLux® as effective dry eye treatments. BlephEx is a gentle and precise procedure aimed at addressing eyelid hygiene and meibomian gland dysfunction, both of which are common contributors to dry eye. During a BlephEx treatment, a specially-designed handheld device is used to carefully exfoliate and clean the eyelid margins and lashes. This process helps remove debris, biofilm, and accumulated bacteria that can contribute to inflammation and blockage of the meibomian glands. iLux uses gentle heat to unclog blocked oil glands, allowing the oil to lubricate the tears properly.
Long-Term Management of Dry Eye
While dry eye disease doesn’t cause permanent vision loss, it’s a chronic condition that requires consistent management. Working closely with an eye care professional at Ada Vision Center in Boise can help you develop a long-term strategy to maintain eye comfort and minimize symptoms.