Dry Eye Therapy

Dry Eye Disease: Relief for Gritty, Tired Eyes

Dry eye syndrome is a complex condition that occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly. Symptoms can vary widely, often causing discomfort, redness, and irritation—issues that can impact your daily life.

Everyone’s experience with dry eye is different, so understanding the specific causes of your symptoms is crucial. A thorough evaluation helps us personalize your treatment plan for more effective relief.

You might be surprised that effective, long-term solutions go beyond over-the-counter eye drops! At 20/twenty Optical, we’re committed to improving your comfort and eye health. Visit us today to get started!

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What Causes Dry Eye?

Dry is multifactorial, meaning many factors can contribute to its development. Some common causes include aging, certain medical conditions like autoimmune diseases or hormonal imbalances, environmental factors such as dry or windy climates, and digital screen use.

Certain medications can also contribute to dry eye symptoms, including antihistamines and antidepressants.

The Tear Film: Your Source of Eye Comfort

The tear film is a thin layer of fluid covering the eye. It’s vital for keeping your eye healthy by providing lubrication, nutrients, and protection against infection.

The tear film contains 3 essential layers.

Oil

The oily layer is the outermost layer of the tear film and is produced by the meibomian glands, located along the edges of your eyelids. These tiny glands secrete lipids (fats) that form this crucial layer. The oily layer slows tear evaporation, maintains moisture, and provides a smooth surface for the eyes.

Water

The watery layer of the tear film is the middle layer, produced by the lacrimal glands located above the outer corners of your eyelids. This layer is primarily composed of water, electrolytes, and proteins. It hydrates the eye’s surface, washes away irritants, and delivers essential nutrients to the cornea.

Mucus

The mucus layer is the innermost layer of the tear film. Produced by specialized cells in the conjunctiva (the membrane covering the white part of your eye), this layer helps keep the entire tear film adhered to the eye while spreading it evenly across the surface.

Types of Dry Eye Disease

While many causes contribute to dry eye, there are essentially 2 main types:

Evaporative Dry Eye

Evaporative dry eye occurs when tears evaporate too quickly, often due to a lack of oil in the tear film. It’s commonly caused by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), where the glands become clogged or blocked.

Relief options include warm compresses, eyelid massage, omega-3 supplements, and prescription medications to boost oil production.

Aqueous-Deficient Dry Eye

Aqueous-deficient dry eye occurs when the eyes don’t produce enough tears to adequately hydrate your eyes.

You may experience this condition temporarily due to dehydration or reduced blinking (like when working on a computer or playing video games). But it can also be a long-term issue caused by certain medical conditions, such as blepharitis (a chronic inflammation of the eyelids) and vitamin A deficiency.

To provide relief, we may recommend prescription eye drops to increase tear production or other treatments designed to keep your eyes healthy, comfortable, and prevent vision problems.

The Role of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is a common condition that occurs when the meibomian glands become blocked or inflamed, preventing them from secreting the essential oil for your tear film.

MGD can cause uncomfortable symptoms like dryness, irritation, and blurred vision, but it can also lead to more serious issues, such as corneal damage and blepharitis. Dry eye can become a cycle in which blepharitis can worsen MGD, and MGD can contribute to the development of blepharitis.

What Is Common Dry Eye?

Common dry eye refers to mild dryness and discomfort that occurs occasionally—often due to environmental factors. Unlike chronic dry eye disease with persistent symptoms, common dry eye is typically temporary and less severe.

Symptoms

Symptoms of common dry eye include:

Mild irritation
Occasional dryness
Temporary blurred vision
Discomfort after eye-heavy activities

These symptoms often subside when the eyes are given a break from activities that strain them or when environmental factors change.

Causes

Several different factors can contribute to common dry eye, including:

Dry air
Prolonged screen use
Windy conditions
Contact lens wear
Dehydration

Providing You Relief

Whether you have chronic or temporary dry eyes, there are several ways to find relief and manage your symptoms. Our holistic approach focuses on immediate and long-term eye comfort and overall health.

Nutrition

We recommend eating leafy greens, vitamin A and C-rich foods like carrots, nuts, and seeds for healthy fats. Staying adequately hydrated can also help mitigate dry eye symptoms.

Warm Compresses

Warm compresses can help unclog oil glands and promote tear production. You can use a warm washcloth or purchase a specialized eye mask for this purpose.

Omega-3 Supplements

Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce dry eye symptoms. Consider adding a high-quality supplement to your daily routine.

Lifestyle Adjustments

Making simple lifestyle changes can help relieve dry eye symptoms. Consider the following tips:

Take regular breaks from screens
Use humidifiers to add moisture to the air
Practice good eyelid hygiene
Avoid smoke and windy conditions

Find the Support You Need Today

Finding an effective therapy for dry eye can help improve your comfort and quality of life. We’re here to help you find relief with several management options.

Contact us today to request an appointment and start your journey to healthier, more comfortable eyes!

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