Dry Eyes

Dry eye disease (DED) affects 20-50% of people worldwide. The condition usually isn’t serious, but without treatment, it can keep you from activities you love (like reading) and affect your quality of life. At Corona Vision Center in Corona, California, the team of experienced optometrists offers complete care for dry eye disease, including common side effects like red eyes and blepharitis (eyelid inflammation). Schedule treatment for dry eye disease at Corona Vision Center today by booking online or calling the office.

My eyes are itchy and irritated — is it dry eye disease?

It’s very possible. Dry eye disease occurs in people whose eyes don’t produce enough tears to provide adequate lubrication. Poor or below-average tear production occurs for a variety of reasons, including inflamed eyelid glands, allergies, and autoimmune disease. 

Almost everyone experiences dry eyes occasionally, but if your symptoms continue for weeks or even months, seeking treatment at Corona Vision Center is essential. 

What are the symptoms of dry eye disease?

Dry eye disease symptoms include:

• Feeling like there’s something in your eye
• Stinging, burning, or itching eyes
• Red eyes
• Sensitivity to light
• Blurred vision
• Eye fatigue
• Watery eyes
• Difficulty wearing contact lenses

Some people with dry eyes have mucus in or around their eyes. 

How does an optometrist diagnose dry eye disease?

Your Corona Vision Center provider reviews your medical records, asks about your symptoms, and completes a comprehensive eye exam. Then, they order several tests, including:

Tear volume test

This test measures your tear ducts’ ability to produce tears. Your provider places a small strip of blotting paper beneath your lower eyelid and lets it sit for five minutes. When time is up, your provider measures how much of the strip is soaked in tears. 

Tear quality test

During this test, your provider administers dyed eye drops. The dye coats the surface of your eyeball, allowing your provider to look for staining patterns on your cornea. They also measure how quickly the dye evaporates.

Tear osmolarity test

This test measures the composition and quality of your tears. If you have dry eye disease, your tear drops contain below-average amounts of water. 

How does an optometrist treat dry eye disease?

Treatment of dry eye disease depends on the underlying cause and the severity of your symptoms. For example, if you have blepharitis, cold compresses and prescription antibiotics might fix the problem. 

If your symptoms are due to low tear production or poor-quality tears, your provider might suggest:

• Medication to reduce eyelid inflammation
• Eye drops to control corneal inflammation
• Eye inserts that release artificial tears
• Tear-stimulating medicines
• Nasal spray to increase tear production
• Tears made from your own blood

Corona Vision Center offers dry eye disease treatments from Zeiss, a German manufacturer of optical systems and electronics.

Call Corona Vision Center today to explore the treatments for dry eye disease, or make your appointment online.