Dry Eyes

Question:

My eyes always seem to be dry. What should I do?

Answer:

While certainly not the most serious, ‘dry eye’ is one of the most common problems we hear from our patients. A normal functioning eye produces lubricating tears at a slow, steady rate during waking hours. If these tears aren’t being produced correctly, you may suffer from stinging or burning, scratchiness or grittiness, excess tearing (but the wrong composition of tears), stringy mucus in or around the eyes, eye irritation from smoke or wind, and/or difficulty wearing contact lenses.

Dry eye has many causes. Tear production decreases as we age, particularly for post-menopausal women. Allergies and arthritis can also cause dry eye, and many prescription and over-the-counter medications can reduce tear production. While some of these medications can’t be avoided – such as diuretics, betablockers, antihistamines and pain relievers – your eye doctor may be able to help you minimize the dry eye condition.

During an eye exam, your doctor can perform specific tests to gauge tear production. He or she may recommend over-the-counter artificial tears or ointment. If tears alone will not alleviate the condition, your doctor may insert temporary or permanent plugs in the channel in the eye where tears normally drain.

Although dry eye might be considered a minor problem, it is just one more reason why patients should visit their ophthalmologist or optometrist at least bi-annually after age 50 and annually after age 65.

Scott Greder, OD

Michael Halsted, MD

Midwest Eye Care, PC

4353 Dodge Street

Omaha, NE 68131

402-552-2020