Tears not only express emotion, they are physically necessary to maintain the health and lubrication of your eyes, providing nutrition and clear vision. Blinking spreads tears across the surface of the eye, and the proper lubrication will reduce the risk of infection, smooth the eye surface, and clean foreign objects from the eye, like dust or eyelashes. Patients who suffer from dry eye either don’t produce an adequate amount of tears to sufficiently lubricate the eye or high quality tears to provide necessary nutrition.
Producing an inadequate amount of tears is the more common strain of this syndrome and may develop from a variety of environmental and medical conditions, including gender, age, medications, over exposure to smoke or wind, or particular medical conditions. Age certainly has a major effect on this condition because people naturally produce less tears as time passes, and patients with diabetes, arthritis, and thyroid problems are also much more likely to develop this condition.
| Symptoms of Dry Eye Syndrome |
| Blurred Vision |
| Sensitivity to Light |
| Gritty, Scratching, or Itching Sensation |
| Redness |
The most common treatment for Dry Eye Syndrome is a tear drop regiment. Many different brands offer artificial tears and are available as preserved tears in a screw cap bottle or unpreserved tears in a twist open vial. Some patients are sensitive to preservatives, so many brands provide the unpreserved form. Dr. Selem will evaluate your condition and medical and family history to determine which type of artificial tear treatment will best suit your needs. Most drops are applied two to four times per day and will become effective within a few weeks of treatment. This course of treatment is especially helpful to patients who do not produce the quantity of tears necessary to maintain healthy vision and those who sleep with their eyes slightly open. If treatment does not provide a marked improvement to your condition, your drop regiment can be adjusted to a different brand or frequency.
Other treatments for Dry Eye Syndrome may include a combination of fish oil pills, prescription medication, or corrective glasses, contacts, or goggles that will retain moister to the eye. Tear duct plugs may also be considered. These plugs are inserted directly into the tear ducts to ensure that moisture remains on the eye longer. This treatment is especially helpful for the less common type of dry eye in which the quality of tears is to blame. Surgery may also be a treatment option for those whose dry eye is caused by abnormal eyelid positioning or eyelid length. After careful diagnosis and tests to determine the type of Dry Eye Syndrome that you display, Dr. Selem will discuss the various treatment options available and which course will best benefit your unique condition.
At Miami Eye Center, Dr. Joseph Selem will meet with you during your private consultation to assess your individual situation. Dr. Selem can help you decide which treatment is best for your Dry Eye Syndrome in Miami. See the beauty in yourself and the world around you in crisp, clear detail today! Request an appointment online or call Dr. Joseph Selem and the staff at Miami Eye Center at 305-444-0221 to schedule your private consultation.
