Dry, Red and Itchy Eyes

Our eyes need tears to stay healthy and comfortable. When your eyes do not produce enough tears, it is called dry eye. Dry eye is also when your eyes do not make the right type of tears or tear film.

Dry Eye Symptoms

Here are some of the symptoms of dry eye:

• You feel like your eyes are stinging and burning.
• There is a scratchy or gritty feeling like something is in your eye.
• There are strings of mucus in or around your eyes.
• Your eyes are red or irritated. This is especially true when you are in the wind or near cigarette smoke.
• It is painful to wear contact lenses.
• You have lots of tears in your eyes.

Having a lot of tears in your eyes with “dry eye” might sound odd. But your eyes make more tears when they are irritated by dry eye.

At Joseph Eye & Laser Center, we guide you through your options and help you determine the treatment that is customized for your specific needs. Dr. Christopher Joseph, DO, FACS, is an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of Dry Eye Disease, as well as Cataract and Glaucoma surgery. He completed an extra year of training by completing a fellowship in Pittsburgh, PA, which specialized in Laser Cataract Surgery, and Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS). 

Dr. Joseph is also one of the few Ophthalmologists in the United States recognized for his excellence by the America College of Surgeons (ACS). In 2018, the ACS nominated Dr. Joseph as a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS). At Joseph Eye & Laser, we have the most high-tech corneal topographer, which allows us to detect Dry Eye Disease and corneal changes at the earliest possible time.

How Do Tears Work?

When you blink, a film of tears spreads over the eye. This keeps the eye’s surface smooth and clear. The tear film is important for good vision. The tear film is made of three layers, an oily layer, a watery layer, and a mucus layer. Each layer of the tear film serves a purpose. 

Normally, our eyes constantly make tears to stay moist. If our eyes are irritated, or we cry, our eyes make a lot of tears. But sometimes the eyes don’t make enough tears or something affects one or more layers of the tear film. In those cases, we end up with dry eyes.

Dry Eye Causes

People tend to make fewer tears as they get older due to hormonal changes. Both men and women can get dry eye. However, it is more common in women—especially those who have gone through menopause.

Other causes of dry eye include allergies, certain diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome, thyroid disease, lupus, and blepharitis (when eyelids are swollen or red). In addition to entropion (when eyelids turn in); ectropion (eyelids turn outward), being in smoke, wind or a very dry climate, looking at a computer screen for a long time, reading and other activities that reduce blinking. 

Using contact lenses for a long time. Having refractive eye surgery, such as LASIK. Taking certain medicines, such as: diuretics (water pills) for high blood pressure, Beta-blockers, for heart problems or high blood pressure, allergy and cold medicines (antihistamines), sleeping pills, anxiety and antidepressant medicines, and heartburn medicines.

Tell your ophthalmologist about all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you take. Your ophthalmologist will begin with an eye exam. He or she will look at your eyelids and the surface of the eye. They will also check how you blink.

There are many different tests that help diagnose dry eyes. Your ophthalmologist may do a test that measures the quality or the thickness of your tears. He or she may also measure how quickly you produce tears.

How Is Dry Eye Treated?

Your ophthalmologist might tell you to use artificial tears. These are eye drops that are like your own tears. You can use artificial tears as often as you need to. You can buy artificial tears without a prescription. There are many brands, try a few until you find a brand that works best for you.

If you use artificial tears more than six times a day or are allergic to preservatives, you should use preservative-free tears to eliminate irritation caused by the chemicals in some artificial tears.

Your ophthalmologist may suggest blocking your tear ducts. This makes your natural tears stay in your eyes longer. Tiny silicone or gel plugs (called punctal plugs) may be inserted in your tear ducts. These plugs can be removed later as needed. Your ophthalmologist may also recommend surgery that permanently closes your tear ducts.

Your ophthalmologist might have you use a special eye drop medication. This helps your eyes produce more of their own tears.

Treating Dry Eye Culprits

If your eyes are irritated, your ophthalmologist can treat those problems. They may recommend prescription eye drops or ointments, warm compresses on the eyes, massaging your eyelids or certain eyelid cleaners.

Only your eye surgeon can assess whether you have Dry Eye Disease, Cataracts or Glaucoma, and determine the necessary treatments or surgeries for these diseases. These procedures are extremely safe and have a high success rate, however, the use of cutting-edge technology can be difficult to master, so picking the right surgeon is critical. Dr. Joseph is Fellowship-trained in Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) and Laser Glaucoma Surgery (SLT). 

As well as LASER cataract surgery, dropless cataract surgery, and high-tech lens implants (IOLs). If you would like to learn more about any of our Dry Eye Disease evaluations, Cataract or MIGS procedures, contact the trusted experts at Joseph Eye & Laser Center today at (330) 619-3155.