Dry Eyes

Eye fatigue, blurry vision, and burning or stinging eyes are just a few symptoms associated with dry eyes and can make activities such as work, school, and socializing uncomfortable. If you are experiencing dry eyes and are unsure of where to start treatment, Heart of Texas Eye Care can help. With dry eye treatment, you can manage symptoms of dry eyes and find relief.

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Learn more about Dry Eyes

What are Dry Eyes and How Does it Impact My Vision?

Dry eye is a common condition that affects millions and can cause irritation and blurry vision. It occurs when tears fail to lubricate the eye. This failure can be due to inadequate tear production or poor quality of tears. Tears are made up of three layers: an oil layer, a water layer, and a mucus layer. The water layer keeps the eye moist, while the oil layer protects the water layer from evaporating. The mucus layer helps to spread the tears evenly over the eye. If there are deficiencies in any of these layers, you can experience dry eye symptoms.

Patients may be at a higher risk of experiencing dry eye if they are women, are 50 years or older, smoke, wear contact lenses, have a history of severe eye infections, use a CPAP machine, or are in a dry or windy climate. Certain health conditions and medications may also cause dry eyes. 

Some of the symptoms of dry eye include:

  • Blurry vision
  • Watery eyes
  • Light sensitivity 
  • Red eyes
  • Stinging or burning sensation in the eyes
  • A scratchy feeling in the eyes
  • Eye fatigue

How Can I Prevent Dry Eyes?

Dry eyes can result from environmental factors, which means there are a few steps you can take to prevent them, including certain lifestyle changes. If you’re concerned about dry eye symptoms, your doctor can assess your condition and recommend treatments during an eye exam.

Some of the steps you can take to help prevent dry eyes include

  • Limiting screen time and taking breaks during use
  • Staying hydrated
  • Getting an adequate amount of sleep
  • Refraining from smoking
  • Wear wrap-around sunglasses when outdoors
  • Avoid dry or windy environments
  • Avoid air from heaters and air conditioning from blowing into your face

What are Dry Eyes and How Does it Impact My Vision?

Dry eye is a common condition that affects millions and can cause irritation and blurry vision. It occurs when tears fail to lubricate the eye. This failure can be due to inadequate tear production or poor quality of tears. Tears are made up of three layers: an oil layer, a water layer, and a mucus layer. The water layer keeps the eye moist, while the oil layer protects the water layer from evaporating. The mucus layer helps to spread the tears evenly over the eye. If there are deficiencies in any of these layers, you can experience dry eye symptoms.

Patients may be at a higher risk of experiencing dry eye if they are women, are 50 years or older, smoke, wear contact lenses, have a history of severe eye infections, use a CPAP machine, or are in a dry or windy climate. Certain health conditions and medications may also cause dry eyes. 

Some of the symptoms of dry eye include:

  • Blurry vision
  • Watery eyes
  • Light sensitivity 
  • Red eyes
  • Stinging or burning sensation in the eyes
  • A scratchy feeling in the eyes
  • Eye fatigue

How Can I Prevent Dry Eyes?

Dry eyes can result from environmental factors, which means there are a few steps you can take to prevent them, including certain lifestyle changes. If you’re concerned about dry eye symptoms, your doctor can assess your condition and recommend treatments during an eye exam.

Some of the steps you can take to help prevent dry eyes include

  • Limiting screen time and taking breaks during use
  • Staying hydrated
  • Getting an adequate amount of sleep
  • Refraining from smoking
  • Wear wrap-around sunglasses when outdoors
  • Avoid dry or windy environments
  • Avoid air from heaters and air conditioning from blowing into your face

What are My Treatment Options for Dry Eyes?

Dry eye treatments can range from over-the-counter artificial tears to medicated eye drops and procedures. Early treatment for dry eye is important, as the longer the condition goes untreated, the more difficult it can be to manage. The treatment option that will be best suited for your needs will vary depending on the cause of your dry eye condition. At Heart of Eye Care Texas, we can help you determine the right treatment option for you.

Over-the-Counter Artificial Tears 

Preservative-free artificial tears, also known as lubricating eye drops, are most often recommended for mild cases of dry eye. It is important to note that artificial tears containing preservatives may be irritating to the eyes of some individuals. Artificial tears work to supplement tear production and keep eyes well-lubricated. This is typically the first step many patients take when seeking treatment for dry eyes.

Medicated Eye Drops

Medicated eye drops can reduce dry eye symptoms by increasing tear production and targeting inflammation in the eye that may be causing the condition. Your doctor can prescribe medicated eye drops, and they may recommend you take multiple medications to treat your condition.

Serum Tears

For some patients, artificial tears and eye drops can’t replicate natural tears well enough to treat dry eyes or even irritate their eyes further. Serum tears are made from your own blood and are closer to your natural tears. These eye drops contain more of the essential nutrients and proteins that are natural to your body and may better maintain the tear film to soothe dry eyes. To make serum tears, a sample of your blood will be drawn and spun in a centrifuge to separate out the serum, which will be diluted with saline.

Procedures

In some cases, we may recommend procedures to treat dry eyes if artificial tears and medicated eye drops do not help manage symptoms. Treatment options depend on the cause of your dry eye condition and may include punctal plugs, Amniotic membrane treatment, thermal cautery, and intense pulsed light therapy (IPL).

Punctal plugs block the punctum, the small openings that drain your tears. Punctal plugs slow the drainage of tears, helping to preserve them and keep the eye lubricated for longer. Your doctor may recommend thermal cautery if punctal plugs cannot treat dry eye. During thermal cautery, your surgeon will use heat to close the tear ducts. This procedure typically takes a few minutes.

IPL therapy can treat patients experiencing dry eye due to Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). This procedure reduces inflammation in the eye as well as bacterial growth and disrupts buildup in the meibomian gland to improve its function.

Finally, amniotic membranes can treat dry eyes by creating a protective barrier and stimulating cellular regeneration. These stem cell tissues are placed over the eye, where they will be gradually absorbed by the cornea within a few days. Amniotic membrane treatment has long-lasting benefits for your eyes’ health by repairing corneal damage and promoting new cell growth.

What are My Treatment Options for Dry Eyes?

Dry eye treatments can range from over-the-counter artificial tears to medicated eye drops and procedures. Early treatment for dry eye is important, as the longer the condition goes untreated, the more difficult it can be to manage. The treatment option that will be best suited for your needs will vary depending on the cause of your dry eye condition. At Heart of Eye Care Texas, we can help you determine the right treatment option for you.

Over-the-Counter Artificial Tears 

Preservative-free artificial tears, also known as lubricating eye drops, are most often recommended for mild cases of dry eye. It is important to note that artificial tears containing preservatives may be irritating to the eyes of some individuals. Artificial tears work to supplement tear production and keep eyes well-lubricated. This is typically the first step many patients take when seeking treatment for dry eyes.

Medicated Eye Drops

Medicated eye drops can reduce dry eye symptoms by increasing tear production and targeting inflammation in the eye that may be causing the condition. Your doctor can prescribe medicated eye drops, and they may recommend you take multiple medications to treat your condition.

Serum Tears

For some patients, artificial tears and eye drops can’t replicate natural tears well enough to treat dry eyes or even irritate their eyes further. Serum tears are made from your own blood and are closer to your natural tears. These eye drops contain more of the essential nutrients and proteins that are natural to your body and may better maintain the tear film to soothe dry eyes. To make serum tears, a sample of your blood will be drawn and spun in a centrifuge to separate out the serum, which will be diluted with saline.

Procedures

In some cases, we may recommend procedures to treat dry eyes if artificial tears and medicated eye drops do not help manage symptoms. Treatment options depend on the cause of your dry eye condition and may include punctal plugs, Amniotic membrane treatment, thermal cautery, and intense pulsed light therapy (IPL).

Punctal plugs block the punctum, the small openings that drain your tears. Punctal plugs slow the drainage of tears, helping to preserve them and keep the eye lubricated for longer. Your doctor may recommend thermal cautery if punctal plugs cannot treat dry eye. During thermal cautery, your surgeon will use heat to close the tear ducts. This procedure typically takes a few minutes.

IPL therapy can treat patients experiencing dry eye due to Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). This procedure reduces inflammation in the eye as well as bacterial growth and disrupts buildup in the meibomian gland to improve its function.

Finally, amniotic membranes can treat dry eyes by creating a protective barrier and stimulating cellular regeneration. These stem cell tissues are placed over the eye, where they will be gradually absorbed by the cornea within a few days. Amniotic membrane treatment has long-lasting benefits for your eyes’ health by repairing corneal damage and promoting new cell growth.

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Next Step

Would you like to learn more about allergies and take the first step toward a clearer future? Then please fill out our online form below or call us at (512) 213-2220 to get started with an in-person consultation at Heart of Texas Eye Care. Our courteous staff and board-certified ophthalmologists are here to assist you through every step of your journey!

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Clearer Vision
Starts Here

If you’re ready for lasting vision correction with LASIK, a consultation for cataracts, or maybe blepharoplasty to rejuvenate aging eyes, our team can help. Or maybe it’s time for your yearly eye exam or maintenance Botox® injections. Click the button below to explore financing options for all your eye care needs.

View Our Financing Options

Clearer Vision
Starts Here

View Our Financing Options

If you’re ready for lasting vision correction with LASIK, a consultation for cataracts, or maybe blepharoplasty to rejuvenate aging eyes, our team can help. Or maybe it’s time for your yearly eye exam or maintenance Botox® injections. Click the button below to explore financing options for all your eye care needs.