Dry Eye FAQs

If your eyes feel dry, are burning, or itching, you may have dry eye. What are the causes of dry eye, how did you get it, and how do you treat it? These common FAQs are answered by our Benefield Eye Care eye doctor to help you manage your dry eye symptoms.   

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What is dry eye?

Tears are essential for lubricating your eyes and keeping them clear of dust and debris. Dry eye is an eye condition that develops when your eyes don’t produce sufficient tears, leaving them dry, itchy, and irritated.

What causes dry eye?

Most dry eye cases are the result of age. As you age, your eyes produce fewer tears. There are, however, other causes of dry eye. Environmental factors like overexposure to the sun or wind can affect tear production and lead to dry eye. Computer overuse, eye infections and surgeries, certain types of medications and certain autoimmune diseases can also cause dry eye. Your Gulfport eye doctor can help you determine the cause of your condition.

What are the symptoms of dry eye?

Dry eye symptoms may vary from person to person. In general, however, this condition causes dryness, redness, burning, itchiness, and eye fatigue. You may experience blurry vision or sensitivity to light. Some people have watery eyes due to eye glands producing excess tears to compensate for the dryness. These watery tears usually lack oil to keep moisture in your eyes, making them of little help in lubricating your eyes.

Is dry eye common?

Yes, dry eye is a very common eye condition. That doesn’t mean, however, that you should just accept your situation. Left untreated, dry eye symptoms can escalate and lead to worse eye conditions. Dry eye can cause blurry vision, making it difficult for you to drive, read, watch TV, or partake of other activities. Your best bet is to see your Gulfport eye doctor for treatment.

How does an eye doctor diagnose dry eye?

If you’re dealing with symptoms of dry eye, visit your Gulfport eye doctor for a checkup. Your eye doctor will measure your tear production to see if you have this condition. If so, we’ll recommend appropriate treatment.

How is dry eye treated?

There are various treatments for dry eye, ranging from over the counter eye drops to prescription medications. If you have a mild case, your eye doctor may recommend artificial tears. Severe dry eye may need stronger medications such as prescription eye drops or ointments. We may recommend punctual plugs to retain tears in your eyes or medications to help your eyes produce more tears.

See Your Gulfport Eye Doctor for Dry Eye Diagnosis and Treatment

To diagnose and treat dry eye syndrome, contact Benefield Eye Care in Gulfport at (228) 328-0972. Our optometrist and ophthalmologist can provide treatment and care for dry eye and many more eye conditions.

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