The Fraser Eye Care Center Doctors have either authored or reviewed and approved this content.
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Dry eye is a chronic condition that affects most people at some point in their lives and becomes more frequent with age. Sometimes referred to as dry eye disease or dry eye syndrome, this condition affects over 16 million people in the United States. Fortunately, the specialists at Fraser Eye are able to diagnose the cause of dry eye and provide effective treatment to enhance our patient’s comfort.1
Dry eye is a result of a lack of natural lubrication in the eye and can be caused by inadequate tear production or poor tear quality. There are three layers in our tears: an oil layer, a watery layer, and a layer made of mucus. These layers each have a specific purpose when it comes to the health of our eyes, such as lubricating the eyes or keeping them clean. An issue with any one of the tear layers or a lack of tears can cause symptoms of chronic dry eye.2
Chronic dry eye can be irritating and uncomfortable and is associated with a wide range of symptoms, including:
Dry eye is a result of a malfunction of the eye’s natural lubrication system. One of the most common causes of chronic dry eye is a blockage of the meibomian glands, the glands that produce the oils that lubricate the eyes.
Certain conditions may increase a person’s likelihood of developing dry eye, including:
Located in the eyelids, the meibomian glands produce the oils that help lubricate the eyes. In people with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), these glands become blocked. This is a common cause of chronic dry eye and may not respond to over-the-counter treatments like eye drops. Up to 86% of people who have chronic dry eye have some form of MGD, which is best treated by an experienced eye doctor.4
Many people who suffer from dry eyes can find significant relief with at-home remedies or solutions, such as:
While many patients can achieve temporary relief from dry eye symptoms with home remedies or lifestyle changes, others require professional treatment for chronic dry eye. At Fraser Eye, we specialize in alleviating dry eye symptoms and offer a range of treatments including:
If you live in the New Baltimore or Marysville area and are frustrated with the uncomfortable, irritating symptoms of chronic dry eye, the experienced ophthalmologists at Fraser may be able to help you find relief. Contact us to schedule an appointment.
1 Farrand KF, Fridman M, Stillman IÖ, Schaumberg DA. Prevalence of Diagnosed Dry Eye Disease in the United States Among Adults Aged 18 Years and Older. Am J Ophthalmol. 2017;182:90‐98. doi:10.1016/j.ajo.2017.06.033. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28705660/. Accessed April 15 2021.
2 American Academy of Ophthalmology. What is dry eye? Available: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-dry-eye. Accessed April 15, 2021.
3 Mayo Clinic. Dry Eyes. Available: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-eyes/symptoms-causes/syc-20371863. Accessed April 15, 2021.
4 Lemp, M. A., Crews, L. A., Bron, A. J., et al. (2012). Distribution of Aqueous-Deficient and Evaporative Dry Eye in a Clinic-Based Patient Cohort. Cornea, 31(5), 472-478. doi:10.1097/ico.0b013e318225415a. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22378109/. Accessed April 15, 2021.
The Fraser Eye Care Center Doctors have either authored or reviewed and approved this content.
