What Is Dry Eye and How an Optometrist Can Help
Understanding Dry Eye
Dry eye is a common condition that occurs when your eyes do not produce enough tears or when the quality of your tears is poor. Tears are essential for keeping your eyes healthy and comfortable. They provide moisture, wash away debris, and help protect against infection. When tear production or composition is disrupted, you may experience symptoms that can affect your daily life.
Common Symptoms of Dry Eye
While dry eye can affect anyone, it becomes more common with age and is often seen in people who spend a lot of time on computers or devices.
Symptoms may include:
- A gritty, scratchy, or burning sensation in your eyes
- Redness or irritation
- Excessive tearing (as a reflex to dryness)
- Blurred vision or eye fatigue
- Difficulty wearing contact lenses
If these symptoms sound familiar, it’s important to seek professional eye care help before the condition worsens.
Causes of Dry Eye
Dry eye can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Aging and hormonal changes
- Long hours staring at digital screens
- Certain medications (such as antihistamines or blood pressure medicine)
- Environmental conditions like wind, smoke, or dry air
- Underlying health issues, such as autoimmune diseases
An optometrist can determine the exact cause through a comprehensive eye exam and recommend the proper treatment for your needs.
How an Optometrist Can Help
At Acuity Vision Care, we specialize in diagnosing and treating dry eye with advanced methods tailored to each patient. When you visit our office, we will:
- Evaluate Tear Production and Quality – Using specialized equipment, we can measure the quality and quantity of tears produced by your eyes and assess their composition.
- Identify Underlying Causes – Understanding the root cause allows us to create a targeted treatment plan.
- Recommend Treatment Options – This may include artificial tears, prescription eye drops, warm compress therapy, punctal plugs, or advanced in-office treatments.
- Provide Lifestyle and Home Care Guidance – We’ll offer personalized tips, such as increasing blink frequency during screen use, adjusting your work environment, or adding omega-3 fatty acids to your diet.
Why Professional Eye Care Matters
Over-the-counter eye drops can provide temporary relief, but they often don’t address the underlying cause of dry eye. Without proper diagnosis and treatment, symptoms may persist or worsen over time. Our goal is to restore your eye comfort, protect your vision, and improve your overall quality of life.
Get Relief from Dry Eye Today
If you’ve been struggling with irritated, tired, or watery eyes, you don’t have to live with the discomfort. The team at Acuity Vision Care in Ashburn, VA, is here to help you find lasting relief. Call us at (703) 723-3433 or complete our Contact Us form to schedule your dry eye evaluation today.
