Dry eye syndrome, also known as dry eye, is a relatively common condition of the eye. It occurs when you do not produce enough tears to keep your eyes lubricated. It can also occur if the tears that you produce are of poor quality, and they dissolve before they have a chance to lubricate your eyes. Fortunately, our ophthalmologist, Leroy Vaughn, MD in Inglewood can create a treatment plan to treat the condition.
Who Is At Risk For Dry Eye?
Although anyone can develop dry eye, there are risk factors that can increase your chance of developing the condition. These include:
- Age: People over 50 are more likely to develop dry eye.
- Sex: Women are more prone to dry eye than men.
- Medication: Certain medications can cause dry eye. These include decongestants, antihistamines, birth control pills, antidepressants, acne medication, and high blood pressure medication.
- Medical conditions: Dry eye is a side effect of certain medical conditions including lupus, allergic eye disease, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disorders, sarcoidosis, and vitamin A deficiency.
Symptoms of Dry Eye
The symptoms of dry eye are very uncomfortable and can affect your vision. They include:
- Feeling like there is something in your eye
- Stinging or burning eyes
- A scratchy sensation in the eyes
- Mucus coming from the eyes
- Redness of the eyes
- Watery eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- Trouble seeing at night
- Blurry vision
- Eye fatigue
Dry Eye Treatment
There are a few treatment options that are available for dry eye. The treatment our eye doctor will choose depends on the severity of your condition.
- Artificial tears: Artificial tears are prescribed for minor dry eye. During the day, you put the drops in your eyes to keep them lubricated.
- Eye inserts: Eye inserts are the size of a grain of rice. They are placed between the lower lid and the eye, and they dissolve slowly during the day. They have the same effect as artificial tears.
- Tear-stimulating medication: Our eye doctor can prescribe medication to help your eye produce more natural tears. These medications are available as eye drops, gels, and oral medication.
- Punctal plugs: Punctal plugs are inserted into your eye and are designed to close off the tear ducts, which will prevent the tears from draining away.
- Thermal cautery: If punctal plugs work for you, our eye doctor may suggest closing the tear ducts off permanently.
Schedule an Appointment with Leroy Vaughn, MD in Inglewood
If you are experiencing the symptoms of dry eye, schedule an appointment with Dr. Leroy Vaughn in Inglewood. He will create a treatment plan to help relieve your symptoms. Call us today at (310) 671-0909 to learn more.
