Most people will experience dry eye syndrome at some point during their lifetime, even if they don’t realize it. If they don’t, it is often because their condition resolves itself fairly quickly and without the need for professional intervention. However, for a percentage of sufferers, the symptoms that they experience will come and go for months or even years. At this point, it becomes known as chronic dry eye and professional treatment is nearly always necessary to provide relief from the condition.

Dry eye syndrome occurs when the eyes are no longer adequately lubricated. This can happen for a number of different reasons. It may be that the glands responsible for producing tear film are no longer working effectively, or that the tear film is draining too quickly. It can even occur when the different substances that make up tear film (oil, water, and protein) aren’t perfectly balanced, meaning that there is too much or too little of a particular element.

Although dry eyes can affect anyone, there are certain factors that make someone more likely to experience the condition:

• Getting older
• Suffering from specific medical conditions such as thyroid disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, lupus and more
• Taking specific medications, including antihistamines, decongestants, hormone replacement therapy, some antidepressants, and drugs for acne and Parkinson’s disease
• Damage to the eyes caused by radiation
• Having undergone laser eye surgery
• Working in a windy, dry or smoky environment
• Spending prolonged periods of time concentrating without blinking, such as looking at screens or driving

Symptoms associated with chronic dry eye syndrome

If you are suffering from chronic dry eye syndrome, you may experience any or a combination of the following symptoms:

• Stinging of the eyes
• A burning or scratching sensation within the eyes
• Redness
• Sensitivity to light
• The sensation as if you have something lodged in your eye
• Blurred vision
• Eye fatigue
• Difficulty with wearing contact lenses, such as finding them hard to put in or take out, or finding them uncomfortable to wear
• Difficulty with driving at night
• Stringy mucus in or around the eyes
• Excessive watering of the eyes, which is your body’s automatic response to try and counteract the dryness

If you experience any of these symptoms and they do not resolve themselves within 48 hours, it is important that you schedule an appointment with your eye doctor and explain that you think you could be suffering from dry eye syndrome. Your eye doctor will then perform their own evaluation and make a diagnosis.

Can chronic dry eye be treated?

The good news is that chronic dry eye can be successfully treated and there are a number of different options available that can do just this. These range from simple treatments such as eye drops to very specific therapies like Lipiflow. We are delighted to be able to offer our patients a number of different treatment options and will make a recommendation for you based on your individual needs.

If you would like more information about the symptoms that are associated with chronic dry eyes, or if you would like to schedule an appointment for your eyes to be assessed by our eye care experts, please call our offices.