When the quality and quantity of your tears fail to adequately lubricate your eyes, it could be a sign of dry eye syndrome. John Ghobrial, MD, ophthalmologist and founder of Eye Associates of Monmouth, in Colts Neck, New Jersey, specializes in diagnosing and treating the underlying causes of your dry eyes. If your eyes regularly feel dry and irritated, schedule a comprehensive eye exam by phone or online so you can get relief from uncomfortable symptoms.
Dry eyes (dry eye syndrome) can be the result of a number of factors. When your tear ducts don’t produce enough tears or the tear components are off-balance, your tear film may evaporate too quickly.
Women are more prone to dry eye syndrome than men, and the likelihood of dry eye increases as you get older. For some people, dry eye comes with other medical conditions or from taking certain medications. Other causes of dry eye syndrome include:
Refractive surgeries, such as LASIK and PRK, may also lead to a decrease in tear production and contribute to chronic dry eye.
Symptoms of dry eye syndrome typically include any of the following:
If left untreated, chronic dry eye can lead to permanent damage on the surface of your eyes. Dr. Ghobrial expertly diagnoses the underlying causes of your dry eye so you can get prompt relief and the treatment you need to prevent a more serious complication.
It depends on the cause, but for some people, treatment of dry eye is as simple as using a prescription or over-the-counter eye drop. Additionally, Dr. Ghobrial may prescribe medications to reduce eyelid inflammation, eye drops to control corneal inflammation or tear-stimulating medications. He may also recommend other treatments to address contributing factors to your chronic dry eye.
In more severe cases of dry eye syndrome, you may be able to wear special contact lenses or undergo procedures to plug tear ducts to reduce tear loss or to unblock oil glands in your eyes that are preventing proper lubrication.
To learn more about effective treatment options for dry eyes, call the office to schedule an exam or book your appointment online today.
