Chronic Dry Eye Causes and Treatments

Dry eye syndrome, also known as dry eyes, can feel especially frustrating in the dry, windy climate of Las Vegas and Henderson. Burning, watering, gritty eyes, blurry vision, and contact lens discomfort can make everyday tasks harder, especially when symptoms keep coming back.

Dry eye affects millions of adults, including many people age 50 and older. Younger patients can also develop dry eye symptoms from screen use, contact lenses, allergies, dry indoor air, and exposure to desert climates.

Because chronic dry eye can have several causes, the best treatment starts with an accurate diagnosis. At Wellish Abrams Vision Institute, an experienced eye doctor can evaluate your tear film, eyelids, ocular surface, and medical history to help identify why your eyes feel dry and what treatment options may help.

Dry Eye Causes

Symptoms of dry eye can differ from person to person because underlying causes vary. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Natural process of aging
• Hormonal imbalance (which explains why dry eye is common in women, particularly those who are menopausal, pregnant, or taking oral contraceptives)
• A side effect of certain medications, such as antidepressants, decongestants, antihistamines, and anti-hypertensive drugs
• Medical conditions such as autoimmune disorders (Sjögren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and thyroid problems)
• Inflammation of the eyelids
• Chronic exposure to dry climates, smoke, and dry wind
• Long-term use of contact lenses
• Staring at digital screens for long periods of time
• Post-refractive eye surgeries such as LASIK

Dry Eye Diagnosis

Dry eye syndrome is usually diagnosed with a thorough evaluation of the patient’s history, careful physical assessment, comprehensive eye examination, and ocular surface tests. Testing may include the following:

• Schirmer test
• Tear osmolarity
• Corneal sensation test
• Corneal staining

Other testing methods may be used to rule out medical conditions that can cause dry eye symptoms.

Your Options for Dry Eyes Treatment

If your dry eye symptoms are caused by an underlying condition, recommended treatments will focus on that condition. You can also discuss medications, surgical procedures, and non-surgical methods with your eye doctor.

Dry Eye: Non-surgical Approach

• Warm Moist Compresses: When applied to your eyelids, this approach helps stimulate the meibomian glands to produce more lipids, a component of our tears.
• Punctal Plugs: Punctal plugs, often made of silicone, acrylic, or hydrogel, are inserted into the tiny ducts where tears drain. They help keep the tears on the eye’s surface and prevent them from evaporating quickly.
• Blinking: Frequent blinking while reading or working on a computer can help relieve mild dry eye symptoms. This can be hard to remember to do while performing focused tasks.
• Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL): IPL is recommended for dry eye caused by ocular rosacea, a condition in which tiny blood vessels along the eyelid margin are unusually dilated. IPL helps restore blood vessels to their normal size, reducing the appearance of redness. It also heats the eyelids, allowing the meibomian glands to open and release lipids.
• Meibomian Gland Expression: Recommended for dry eyes caused by meibomian gland disease. A forceps-type device is used to gently squeeze out the clogged contents from the meibomian glands. Once the clogged contents are out, natural oil production will return to normal, keeping tears from evaporating as quickly.
• LipiFlow Thermal Pulsation System (TearScience): This patented device combines the results of warm compress and meibomian gland expression.

Dry Eye Medications

There are a few basic dry eye medications that can be used for mild cases. They can also be used after procedures to keep the eyes moistened. These include:

• Eye lubricating drops, also known as artificial tears. Ask your doctor for recommendations or prescriptions. Brands have different sets of ingredients, depending on what is missing in the layers of your tear film. Eye drops range from oil-based to hypotonic. Consider using preservative-free brands if you plan to use these drops more than 4 times a day.
• Nonsteroidal prescription drops: Eye drops such as Restasis or Xiidra are the treatment of choice for dry eyes caused by inflammation of the eye’s surface.
• Serum tears: This formulated teardrop is typically used in moderate-to-severe cases and contains the clear portion, or serum, of the patient’s blood. The formula contains saline, as well as other nutrients and growth factors.

Dry Eye: Surgical Approach

Often, surgery is the last resort to treat dry eye syndrome. Punctal cautery is a quick procedure that permanently closes the tear drainage holes to keep tears within the eye’s surface for a longer period of time.

Preventing Dry Eye Syndrome

While there are cases when dry eye syndrome is a secondary condition from an underlying cause, there are also things most people can do to prevent it from happening:

• Take frequent breaks when working for long periods in front of the screen.
• Wear sunglasses with wraparound frames when going outdoors, particularly in dry climates
• Use a humidifier during winter to help moisten the air
• Avoid smoking or going near people who smoke
• Strive for a diet rich in omega-3s (e.g., flaxseed oil, chia seeds, fish, cod liver oil)

Schedule Your Dry Eye Exam In Las Vegas Or Henderson

If burning, watering, redness, blurry vision, eye strain, or contact lens discomfort continues to affect your daily life, it may be time to schedule a comprehensive eye exam. Wellish Abrams Vision Institute provides dry eye evaluation and treatment for patients in Las Vegas, Henderson, and nearby Southern Nevada communities.