Dry Eyes

Up to 16 million Americans suffer from chronic dry eyes. Without treatment, dry eyes can affect your performance at work and quality of life. At Central Florida Ophthalmology (CFO) in Oviedo, Florida, ophthalmologist and cataract and corneal surgeon Dr. Jeffrey R. Golen, MD, specializes in diagnosing and treating dry eyes. During an eye exam, he can identify dry eye disease and make personalized treatment recommendations. Call Central Florida Ophthalmology today to request treatment for dry eyes, or make your appointment online.

What is dry eye disease?

Dry eye occurs when your eyes don’t produce adequate lubrication. Poor tear production happens for various reasons, including hormone changes, inflamed eyelid glands, and allergies. Dry eye disease is often due to dysfunction of the Meibomian glands in the eye lids, resulting in problems with the oil production of the tear film. 

Almost everyone experiences dry eye occasionally, but if your symptoms make you uncomfortable, affect your vision, or last for more than a few days, it’s vital to identify the underlying cause.

What are the symptoms of dry eyes?

Dry eye symptoms include:

• Sensitivity to light
• “Sandy” or “gritty” feeling of eyes
• Eye redness
• Blurred vision
• Eye fatigue
• Watery eyes
• Difficulty driving at night
• Difficulty wearing contact lenses

Sometimes, dry eyes make it feel like there’s something stuck in your eye.

Who is at risk of experiencing dry eyes?

Several factors increase your risk of dry eyes, including:

• Being 50 or older
• Being a woman
• Wearing contact lenses
• Undergoing refractive eye surgery
• History of autoimmune disease

Your diet may increase your risk of dry eyes. Eating foods with vitamin A and omega-3 fatty acids, such as broccoli, carrots, and fish, may be beneficial.

How are dry eyes diagnosed?

Dr. Golen reviews your medical records, asks about your symptoms, and completes a comprehensive eye exam, assessing the tear film as well as the ocular surface. 

How are dry eyes treated?

Treatment of dry eyes depends on the underlying cause and the severity of your symptoms. As a cornea specialist, Dr. Golen has treated thousands of cases of dry eyes throughout his career.

Dr. Golen may recommend:

• Lubricating eye drops, gels, and ointments
• Treatment of eyelid (meibomian) glands with hot compresses and eyelid wipes
• Medications to reduce eyelid/ocular inflammation
• Prescription nasal spray to improve tear production
• Plugs to hold more tears in the eyes
• Eye drops to control corneal inflammation
• Eye drops made from your own blood
• Special contact lenses

Is there any way to prevent dry eyes?

There’s no way to prevent dry eyes entirely, but you can reduce symptoms by taking specific steps. Dr. Golen recommends eating a healthy diet including plenty of healthy fats, taking frequent breaks if you work at a computer, and being aware of your environment. For example, utilize more lubricating eye drops if you are sitting near a fan or air conditioning duct.

Call the practice of Dr. Jeffrey Golen today to explore the treatments for dry eyes, or make your appointment online.