Dry Eye

Dry eye can affect anyone and can cause discomfort and even permanent eye damage. At Wills Eye Physicians King of Prussia, we provide personalized dry eye care, ranging from therapeutic treatments to surgery.

WHAT IS DRY EYE?

Dry eye occurs when the eyes aren’t sufficiently moisturized, leading to itching, redness and pain from dry spots on the surface of the eye. The eyes may become dry and irritated because the tear ducts don’t produce enough tears or because the tears themselves have a chemical imbalance.

Dry eye can make it more challenging to perform some activities, such as reading or using a computer, and it can make dry environments, like the cabin of an aircraft, less comfortable.

Dry eye can also cause an inflammation of the surface of the eye, which, left untreated, can cause pain, scarring and ulcers on the cornea of the eye—potentially leading to vision loss.

When discussing dry eye with a doctor, you may also hear the names dry eye syndrome, keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), dysfunctional tear syndrome, lacrimal keratoconjunctivitis, evaporative tear deficiency or aqueous tear deficiency.

What Causes It?

Dry eye most frequently occurs in older adults, but it can affect anyone – so it is important to contact an eye care professional if you experience dry eye symptoms. It can occur for a number of reasons, including gland issues, eye disease, response to certain medications, or as a reaction to recent surgery (such as LASIK). Your eye care doctor may be able to help determine the cause of your dry eye, so if you experience symptoms, make sure to inform your doctor about any medications you are taking (including birth control and hormone replacement therapy) as your doctor will be able to use this information to build a personalized treatment plan.

How Is Dry Eye Treated?

At Wills Eye Physicians King of Prussia, we create a personalized treatment plan based on your needs. In most cases, your doctor will recommend therapeutic treatments, including eye drops. Your doctor may also suggest lifestyle and environmental changes, such as blinking exercises and finding ways to increase the humidity level in your home. In more severe cases, your doctor may suggest a surgical option. In most cases, dry eye does not cause permanent vision damage if caught and treated early on.

To schedule an appointment or learn more about dry eye, call us at 610-265-1188 or click here.