Eye Conditions in West Chester, Paoli, and Kennett Square PA

Dry Eye Treatment in Chester, Kennett Square, & Paoli, PA

Dry eye is a common condition in which the eyes are insufficiently lubricated, leading to itching, redness and pain. The eyes can become dry and irritated because the tear ducts are not producing a sufficient number of tears, or because there is a chemical imbalance in the tears themselves. Natural tears require a particular chemical balance to lubricate the eyes efficiently.

Alleviating the symptoms is important. Left untreated, they have the potential to damage vision. Dry eye can be diagnosed after a thorough examination of the eyes at Vistarr in West Chester, Kennett Square, & Paoli, PA, and a Schirmer tear test to evaluate tear production.

What causes dry eye?

People usually begin experiencing symptoms as they age (they are more common in people older than 50), but they can also result from certain medications, medical conditions or injuries. Dry eye tends to affect women more than men because of the hormonal changes that take place during pregnancy and menopause. Oral contraceptives can also affect the consistency of tears. Other causes include the following:
  • Antihistamines, decongestants and blood-pressure medications
  • Rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, Sjögren’s syndrome and thyroid disease
  • Environmental conditions such as smoke, wind or excessive sun
  • Long-term contact lens use
  • Eye injury
  • Eye or eyelid surgery
  • Inflammation of the eye (conjunctivitis or keratitis)
Dry eye Paoli, PA

Any of these factors, alone or in combination, can affect the frequency or consistency of tears.

Symptoms of Dry Eye

Symptoms typically occur in both eyes, and include the following:

  • Stinging, burning or scratchiness
  • Eye fatigue
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Difficulty wearing contact lenses
  • Excessive tearing
  • Blurry vision

Dry eye can damage eye tissues, leaving tiny abrasions on the surface that can impair vision. There are, however, many treatments for relieving symptoms, restoring eye health and protecting vision.

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How do you treat dry eye?

Treatment for dry eye depends on its cause and severity, as well as the patient’s overall health and personal preference.

Nonsurgical Treatments

Nonsurgical treatments, which include the following, are often effective:

  • Deliberately blinking
  • Increasing humidity levels at home or work
  • Using artificial tears or a lubricating ointment
  • Avoiding environmental irritants
  • Eliminating medications that may be responsible
  • Adding Omega-3 fatty acids to the diet or taking them as supplements
  • Topical Medications – Restasis and Xiidsa

In many cases, simple lifestyle changes can alleviate dry-eye symptoms.

Surgical Treatments Kennett Square, PA

Surgical Treatments

If less invasive methods are unsuccessful, surgical treatments, which include the following, may be an option:

  • Insertion of punctal plugs to limit tear drainage
  • Punctal cautery to permanently close the drainage holes
  • Treatment of an underlying disease

If an eyelid condition is causing dry eye, eyelid surgery may be recommended.

 

Left untreated, it can lead to complications that include pain, corneal ulcers/scars or vision loss.

How to prevent dry eye

There are steps that can be taken to prevent symptoms. Simple lifestyle modifications such as wearing protective glasses on windy days, and giving the eyes a break during reading or other tasks that require intense focus, can effectively reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms.

Additional Resources

Schedule a Consultation For Dry Eye Treatment in PA

Vistarr Laser & Vision Centers offer patients in West Chester, Paoli, and Kennett Square, PA with dry eye treatments. Contact (610) 692-8100 or fill out a Contact Form here for any questions or to schedule an appointment. Our skilled ophthalmologists look forward to serving you!

 

 

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