Do I Have Dry Eye?
Your eyes produce a very complex tear that is necessary to protect your eye health as well as provide the clear optical surface needed for sharp vision. In most cases, a diagnosis of dry eye disease (DED) does not mean you are not producing enough tears. Instead, it is usually a change in the composition of your tears. This change will alter the function of your tears which can lead to symptoms of dryness, burning, itching, tearing, redness, blurred vision, and more.
Dry eye disease can be caused by several things such as aging, mechanical eyelid problems, lid disease, dry climates, allergies, and medications such as oral contraceptives and antidepressants. DED can also be caused by systemic health diseases like arthritis and Sjogren’s syndrome.
Symptoms may include:
- burning
- watering
- redness
- itching
- sandiness
- grittyness
- foreign body sensation
- blurry vision
- fluctuating vision
- tired eyes
An easy place to start and see if your symptoms are indeed something due to dry eye is to take the Dry Eye Questionnaire (DEQ5). Take this quick 5-question test online now and we will contact you with your results.
If you have symptoms of dry eye, schedule a comprehensive eye health examination with one of our doctors. They will devise a personalized treatment plan that may include at-home therapies and/or in-office treatments.