What Causes Dry Eye?

Dry eye disease is a chronic condition that can result from a number of causes. Although its complete reversal may not be possible, the symptoms can be effectively managed. To treat your condition, our experienced eye care team will first determine the most likely cause of your unique case.

According to Dr. Elizabeth Yeu, a board-certified ophthalmologist at VEC, “Ten years ago, if you saw an eye doctor for gritty eyes, warm body sensation, redness, or blurred vision, you were given rewetting drops or artificial tears. There were not many diagnostic or therapeutic options available.” Thankfully, advancements in dry eye syndrome have come a long way within the past five years, alone, allowing for better customization in treatment. The ophthalmologist reveals that in this day and age, “There are numerous ways we can more accurately diagnose dry eye disease.”

The uncomfortable condition has been shown to be more prevalent in older individuals as well as women, due to hormonal changes. Medications and certain medical conditions can also influence the onset of dry eyes. Additionally, it is very common for environmental factors to be the cause of a person’s dry eyes.

Despite the exact cause, a number of symptoms may indicate there is a problem. Dr. Yeu highlights blurred vision as the number one symptom reported by dry eye sufferers. Along with this issue, patients may range from having little irritation at all to having multiple symptoms, including watery eyes, which results from the eyes overcompensating for the extreme dryness that regularly occurs.

When you come in for your appointment at \Virginia Eye Consultants, our eye doctors will discuss your symptoms and evaluate your eyes. To provide the best possible diagnosis and treatment, we may utilize drops, prescription drugs, and/or interventional therapies (such as LipiFlow^® and MiBoFlow ThermoFlo^®) to improve tear health. Ultimately, our goal is to help you achieve better eye comfort with fewer symptoms and possibly even improved vision.