Dry eye illness damages the layers of tears that cover your cornea and occurs when your tears are insufficient or evaporate too quickly. Your ophthalmologist will advise you on how frequently you should schedule visits. Attend all your visits so that your specialist can monitor your condition and assist you in receiving treatment. Also, consult your Bainbridge Eye Care clinician if you have new symptoms, new adverse effects from therapy, or symptoms that worsen.
Common types of dry eye disease
There are several types of dry eye disease, including the following;
- Aqueous deficient dry eye: This condition occurs when your eyes do not generate enough tears. Aqueous tears are produced by the lacrimal gland (located in each eye’s upper outer corner). This is the middle, watery layer of your tear film. Some autoimmune diseases can induce inflammation in your lacrimal gland, causing it to produce insufficient aqueous tears.
- Evaporative dry eye: This disorder happens when your tears dry up too rapidly, and meibomian gland dysfunction is the most common cause. This indicates that the glands in your eyelids that form the outer, oily layer of your tear film are not functioning correctly. As a result, the oily layer becomes unstable and cannot keep the watery layer from drying out.
- Mixed dry eye: Some individuals have aqueous tear deficiency and tear instability meaning their eyes don’t generate enough tears, plus the tear film is unstable. Both of these issues lead to dry eye indicators.
The diagnosis of dry eye
A doctor will inquire about your symptoms and inspect the front of the eye to diagnose dry eye. They may also do a dilated eye test to examine the rear of the eye. This is a straightforward and painless procedure in which eye drops are utilized to dilate your pupil. The dilated eye exam can reveal the volume of tears produced by the eyes, the velocity of tear evaporation, and the anatomy of the eyelids. A physician will also ask about your medical history and any drugs or supplements you take.
Does dry eye disorder go away?
Dry eyes are a long-term problem since there is no cure, but therapies can help control your symptoms. You may need to try many treatments before determining which works best. This might be a stressful procedure, but it is well worth it. Talk to your provider if your current therapies aren’t working or if you wish to consider different possibilities.
Dry eye illness can have far-reaching consequences beyond the comfort of your eyes. It can also impact your capacity to work, socialize, and enjoy life. Dry eyes can have an impact on your emotions as well as your mental health. If your current therapies aren’t working, feel free to contact your doctor. Tell them how you’re feeling and inquire about possible therapy options for managing your disease and restoring your quality of life. Call Bainbridge Eye Care or book your consultation online to determine the ideal dry eye disease therapies for you.