Dry Eye Disease Specialist
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Texas Eye Doctors
Comprehensive Ophthalmology Specialists located in McKinney, TX
Your eyes are designed to be lubricated, and when they’re not, it can have serious effects. Dry eye disease can lead to vision problems, corneal ulcers, infection, and inflammation, but Texas Eye Doctors in McKinney, Texas, can treat your dry eyes with a wide range of state-of-the-art solutions. Schedule your appointment with Hena Khaja, MD, and her team by calling the office or booking online, and start taking better care of your eyes today.
Dry Eye Disease Q & A
What are tears made of?
To understand what causes dry eyes, it helps first to understand what tears are made of.
Tears have three basic components that work together to lubricate and nourish your eyes properly:
- Mucus
- Water
- Oil
The mucus does the actual lubrication, while the water hydrates your eyes and the oil prevents your tears from evaporating too quickly.
What is dry eye disease?
Dry eye disease is a chronic condition in which your eyes aren’t properly lubricated, which can cause:
- Red eyes
- Excess mucus around your eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- Dry, itchy eyes
- Excessively watery eyes
In the United States alone, nearly five million adults over the age of 50 are affected by dry eye disease. This condition can cause vision problems like blurry vision and difficulty seeing at night.
What causes dry eye disease?
Dry eye disease can have a variety of causes, including:
Insubstantial tear production
There are a variety of reasons why your eyes might not be producing enough tears. Most commonly, it’s related to aging, but in some cases, certain medications (like antihistamines), certain surgical procedures of the eye, or an acute problem in your tear gland, like an infection, can cause a decrease in tear production.
Rapid tear evaporation
Dry eyes can also be a result of tears that evaporate too quickly. Evaporative dry eye happens when your tears don’t have enough oil in them, which usually stems from a deficiency in your meibomian gland. However, in some cases, it can stem from problems with your lids separating from your eyes.
Insufficient fluid
When your lacrimal glands don’t make enough watery fluid for your tears, the surface of your eye doesn’t get properly hydrated. This is called aqueous deficiency dry eye.
How is dry eye disease treated?
Texas Eye Doctors reviews your symptoms and performs a comprehensive eye exam to determine the specific cause of your dry eyes. The particular cause of your dry eyes will determine the particular treatment you get, and Texas Eye Doctors can provide you with a wide variety of treatments.
Some of the more typical solutions for dry eye disease include:
- Eye drops
- Artificial tears
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Unblocking your oil glands
- Punctal or tear duct plugs
- Amniotic membrane placement
Don’t suffer from dry eyes any longer than you need to. Schedule your visit with Texas Eye Doctors by calling the office or booking online, and find relief today.
