Dry eye syndrome affects millions of people and impacts quality of life. If you experience dry, irritated, or burning eyes, you are not alone. Dry eye can range from mild occasional discomfort to a chronic condition that significantly affects your vision and daily activities. This guide explains what causes dry eye, how to recognize symptoms, and when artificial tears are not enough and you need professional treatment from Dr. Ngoddy.
Dry eye syndrome affects millions of people and impacts quality of life. If you experience dry, irritated, or burning eyes, you are not alone. Dry eye can range from mild occasional discomfort to a chronic condition that significantly affects your vision and daily activities. This guide explains what causes dry eye, how to recognize symptoms, and when artificial tears are not enough and you need professional treatment from Dr. Ngoddy.
What is Dry Eye Syndrome?
Dry eye syndrome, also called dry eye disease or keratoconjunctivitis sicca, occurs when your eyes do not produce enough tears or when your tears are not of good quality. Tears are essential for keeping your eyes lubricated, healthy, and comfortable. When tears are inadequate, your eye surface becomes irritated and inflamed.
Two Types of Dry Eye
Aqueous Tear Deficiency
Your tear glands do not produce enough tears to keep your eyes moist. This is less common and is often caused by age, certain medications, or autoimmune diseases like Sjogren's syndrome.
Evaporative Dry Eye
You produce tears, but they evaporate too quickly. This is the most common type and is usually caused by meibomian gland dysfunction, where the oil glands in your eyelids are blocked.
Common Symptoms of Dry Eye
Dry eye symptoms vary in intensity. You may experience:
Stinging or burning sensation
Scratchiness or grittiness
Redness
Excessive tearing (paradoxically, dry eyes sometimes produce excess tears as a response)
Discharge or crusting
Blurred vision that improves with blinking
Discomfort when wearing contacts
Eye fatigue from reading or screen work
Sensitivity to wind or smoke
Difficulty with extended screen time
What Causes Dry Eye Syndrome?
Age
Dry eye becomes more common as you get older, especially after age 50. Tear production naturally decreases with age.
Screen Time
Looking at screens reduces blinking, which means tears do not spread across your eye surface evenly. Extended screen time is a major cause of dry eye in today's world.
Medications
Antihistamines, decongestants, blood pressure medications, antidepressants, and many other medications reduce tear production as a side effect.
Hormonal Changes
Hormonal changes during menopause, pregnancy, or from hormone replacement therapy can significantly affect tear production and quality.
Environmental Factors
Dry air, air conditioning, heating systems, wind, and smoke all increase eye dryness and irritation.
Contact Lens Wear
Contact lenses can reduce tear flow and increase tear evaporation, making existing dry eye worse.
Underlying Health Conditions
Autoimmune diseases, thyroid disease, diabetes, and other systemic conditions increase dry eye risk and severity.
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
If the oil glands along your eyelid margins are blocked or not functioning properly, your tears evaporate too quickly.
When Artificial Tears Are Not Enough
Over-the-counter artificial tears provide temporary relief for mild dry eye. However, if you find yourself using artificial tears frequently with little lasting improvement, your dry eye condition needs more advanced care. Signs that you need professional treatment include:
Constant need for artificial tears throughout the day
Symptoms that worsen despite using artificial tears
Significant impact on quality of life or work productivity
Symptoms that interfere with comfortable contact lens wear
Discharge or crusting around your eyes
Blurred vision that does not improve with blinking
Professional Dry Eye Treatment Options
Prescription Eye Drops
Medications like cyclosporine help reduce inflammation and increase tear production. These are more effective than over-the-counter drops for chronic dry eye.
Meibomian Gland Expression
Dr. Ngoddy can gently express blocked meibomian glands to release the oils your tears need.
Warm Compresses and Lid Hygiene
Daily warm compresses and proper eyelid hygiene reduce dry eye symptoms significantly.
Schedule Your Dry Eye Evaluation
Get Relief from Dry Eyes
Call: (404) 460-6163
Location: 844 Cleveland Ave SW, East Point, GA 30344
Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 10 AM to 5 PM
What is Dry Eye Syndrome?
Dry eye syndrome, also called dry eye disease or keratoconjunctivitis sicca, occurs when your eyes do not produce enough tears or when your tears are not of good quality. Tears are essential for keeping your eyes lubricated, healthy, and comfortable. When tears are inadequate, your eye surface becomes irritated and inflamed.
Two Types of Dry Eye
Aqueous Tear Deficiency
Your tear glands do not produce enough tears to keep your eyes moist. This is less common and is often caused by age, certain medications, or autoimmune diseases like Sjogren's syndrome.
Evaporative Dry Eye
You produce tears, but they evaporate too quickly. This is the most common type and is usually caused by meibomian gland dysfunction, where the oil glands in your eyelids are blocked.
Common Symptoms of Dry Eye
Dry eye symptoms vary in intensity. You may experience:
Stinging or burning sensation
Scratchiness or grittiness
Redness
Excessive tearing (paradoxically, dry eyes sometimes produce excess tears as a response)
Discharge or crusting
Blurred vision that improves with blinking
Discomfort when wearing contacts
Eye fatigue from reading or screen work
Sensitivity to wind or smoke
Difficulty with extended screen time
What Causes Dry Eye Syndrome?
Age
Dry eye becomes more common as you get older, especially after age 50. Tear production naturally decreases with age.
Screen Time
Looking at screens reduces blinking, which means tears do not spread across your eye surface evenly. Extended screen time is a major cause of dry eye in today's world.
Medications
Antihistamines, decongestants, blood pressure medications, antidepressants, and many other medications reduce tear production as a side effect.
Hormonal Changes
Hormonal changes during menopause, pregnancy, or from hormone replacement therapy can significantly affect tear production and quality.
Environmental Factors
Dry air, air conditioning, heating systems, wind, and smoke all increase eye dryness and irritation.
Contact Lens Wear
Contact lenses can reduce tear flow and increase tear evaporation, making existing dry eye worse.
Underlying Health Conditions
Autoimmune diseases, thyroid disease, diabetes, and other systemic conditions increase dry eye risk and severity.
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
If the oil glands along your eyelid margins are blocked or not functioning properly, your tears evaporate too quickly.
When Artificial Tears Are Not Enough
Over-the-counter artificial tears provide temporary relief for mild dry eye. However, if you find yourself using artificial tears frequently with little lasting improvement, your dry eye condition needs more advanced care. Signs that you need professional treatment include:
Constant need for artificial tears throughout the day
Symptoms that worsen despite using artificial tears
Significant impact on quality of life or work productivity
Symptoms that interfere with comfortable contact lens wear
Discharge or crusting around your eyes
Blurred vision that does not improve with blinking
Professional Dry Eye Treatment Options
Prescription Eye Drops
Medications like cyclosporine help reduce inflammation and increase tear production. These are more effective than over-the-counter drops for chronic dry eye.
Meibomian Gland Expression
Dr. Ngoddy can gently express blocked meibomian glands to release the oils your tears need.
Warm Compresses and Lid Hygiene
Daily warm compresses and proper eyelid hygiene reduce dry eye symptoms significantly.
Schedule Your Dry Eye Evaluation
Get Relief from Dry Eyes
Call: (404) 460-6163
Location: 844 Cleveland Ave SW, East Point, GA 30344
Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 10 AM to 5 PM