DRY EYE DISEASE

What is Dry Eye Disease?

Occurs when eyes don’t produce enough tears or tears are poor quality.

 * Tears are essential for:

   * Lubrication

   * Debris removal

   * Eye health maintenance

 * Insufficient/poor-quality tears can cause:

   * Discomfort

   * Inflammation

   * Potential eye surface damage

Causes of Dry Eye

Decreased Tear Production

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Aging

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Hormonal changes

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Medical conditions

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Medications

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Laser eye surgery

Increased Tear Evaporation

Dry air (air conditioning, heating)

Wind exposure

Infrequent blinking (prolonged computer use)

Eyelid problems (ectropion, entropion)

Diagnosis

Comprehensive Eye Exam

Evaluates overall eye health and contributing factors.

Tear Film Evaluation

Assesses tear quality and quantity.

Schirmer Test

Measures tear production.

Tear Osmolarity Test

Measures tear salt content.

Meibomian Gland Imaging

Evaluates oil gland health.

Dry Eye Treatment Options

Prescription Eye Drops

Cyclosporine (Restasis) and lifitegrast (Xiidra) for inflammation.

Warm Compresses/Eyelid Hygiene

Improves meibomian gland function and reduces inflammation.

Lifestyle Modifications

Punctal Plugs

Block tear drainage to keep tears on the eye’s surface.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy

Treats meibomian gland dysfunction and reduces inflammation.

Artificial Tears/Lubricating Eye Drops