Do you wake up with dry or red eyes? Experience dry eyes during the day or when using a computer? Do you have teary or watery eyes? Ever feel that your eyes are burning, itchy, or gritty?
You might have dry eye syndrome. At Pacific Eye Care Doctors of Optometry, our optometrists evaluate the health of your tear film and eye surface to identify factors contributing to your symptoms and recommend an appropriate dry eye treatment plan.
Dry eye syndrome (DES) occurs when tear production and drainage are not in balance. People with dry eyes either do not produce enough tears or their tears are of poor quality. The result can include itching, burning, redness, watery eyes, excessive tearing, and even eye pain.
A comprehensive vision evaluation can help identify underlying causes and determine effective treatment options. People who spend long hours on devices may also benefit from digital screen glasses to reduce eye strain and dry eye symptoms.
Dry eyes can increase the risk of serious eye problems like corneal ulcers. Dr. Walter Yim can diagnose the cause and provide long-lasting, soothing relief.
Dry eye symptoms can vary from person to person and may become more noticeable during screen use, contact lens wear, or time spent in dry or windy environments.
Common symptoms include:
Persistent symptoms are worth discussing with an eye doctor, particularly when they begin interfering with everyday activities.
Dry eye does not always have one single cause. Problems with tear production, tear quality, or the oil glands along the eyelids can all contribute.
Other factors may include:
Identifying contributing factors allows our Huntington Beach eye doctors to recommend care based on your individual needs rather than relying on the same approach for every patient.
Dry eye is often a long-term condition rather than something that can be permanently cured. However, many patients can manage their symptoms and improve day-to-day comfort with appropriate treatment and ongoing care.
Dry eye syndrome commonly occurs because your eyes are not producing enough tears, or the tears being produced don’t contain the proper components to keep the eyes hydrated. An eye doctor can perform tests to determine what is causing your dry eyes, and how to treat the symptoms.
Yes. In extreme circumstances, dry eyes can result in scratches on the eye that leave scars on the cornea. This scarring can make it difficult for the eye to focus incoming light, obscuring vision. This may eventually result in permanent vision damage or blindness if not treated properly.
Dryness and irritation can trigger the eyes to produce a rush of reflex tears. These watery tears may overflow but do not necessarily provide the balanced lubrication the eye surface needs.
Consider an evaluation when dryness, burning, watering, fluctuating vision, or irritation persists or begins affecting activities such as reading, computer work, driving, or wearing contact lenses.
Persistent dry eye symptoms deserve more than guesswork.
Pacific Eye Care Doctors of Optometry provides dry eye evaluations and management in Huntington Beach, with care based on your symptoms, eye health, and contributing factors.