What are Dry Eye Symptoms | Family Eye Physicians

What are Dry Eye Symptoms

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Dry eye is a highly common — and complex — eye condition. 

You may have experienced this yourself: a stinging, burning sensation in your eyes, blurred vision, and increased sensitivity to light. Your eyes feel tired and sore and when you look in the mirror you see red, watery eyes. You feel healthy otherwise, no cold, flu or allergies. You likely have a condition called dry eyes. Dry eyes occurs when the eyes do not produce enough tears or when the tears produced are of poor quality.

Most Common Symptoms of Dry Eye

The itchy, scratchy sensation associated with dry eye is more than just a sensation. The corneas of your eyes really are being damaged and the condition can lead to permanent vision loss.

Other symptoms include:
• Blurry/Fluctuating Vision
• Itching
• Burning
• Tearing
• Pain
• Inability to Wear Contacts
• Eye Fatigue
• Light Sensitivity
• Redness

If you think you have dry eyes, consult the highly-trained doctors at the Illinois Dry Eye Center of Excellence. Call today at 708-636-9393 to schedule an appointment.

Causes of Dry Eyes

Our eyes are kept moist with tears—a mixture of water, mucus, and fatty oils. We need an adequate supply to protect our eyes and keep the eye surface clear. When tear production is reduced, dry eyes occur.

Certain things make us more likely to experience dry eyes. It can be a result of the aging process as people over 50 experience a decrease in tear production. It may be caused by medications such as decongestants, antihistamines, antidepressants, and those used to treat high blood pressure and acne. It can be brought on by medical conditions such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. It can also occur as a result of being on an airplane, extended viewing of computer screens, or spending too much time in air conditioning. Laser eye surgery may cause temporary dry eyes as well.

An increase in tear evaporation is another cause of dry eyes. This results from exposure to smoke, wind, dry air, or when you are not blinking as much due to prolonged periods of reading or driving. Some people experience dry eyes as a result of an imbalance in tear composition. This is due to a blockage in the eyelid glands caused by inflammation from certain skin disorders. Whatever the cause of dry eyes, it is important to seek proper treatment.

Treatment for Dry Eyes

Getting treatment for dry eyes will make your eyes more comfortable, of course, but not doing so could result in complications. A lack of tears increases the risk of infection. More severe cases of dry eyes can cause abrasions of the corneal surface or a corneal ulcer to form. 

Your eye doctor will conduct a comprehensive eye exam and ask you about your eye health history. They will also measure tear volume and test the quality of the tears. Treatment could be as simple as over-the-counter eye drops. Your eye physician will base the treatment on the cause of the condition.

Schedule Your Dry Eyes Exam Today

Contact Family Eye Physicians Laser Centers today for a complete eye exam to test for the cause of dry eyes. Our team of expert doctors and eye care professionals also provide laser cataract surgery, premium cataract implants, diabetic laser treatment, laser vision correction, and more. We serve patients in Buffalo Grove, Orland Park, Oak Lawn, and the Albany Park neighborhood of Chicago. Schedule an appointment online or call us today at 708-636-9393.

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68 W Dundee Rd
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089

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Chicago, IL. 60625

Frame Gallery

6201 W. 95th Street
Oak Lawn, IL. 60453

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Schaumburg IL 60193

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Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181

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Oak Lawn, IL. 60453

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14494 John Humphrey Drive
Orland Park, IL. 60462