About Dry Eye Syndrome
Dry eye syndrome affects millions of Americans, causing daily discomfort that ranges from minor irritation to severe pain that interferes with work, reading, and everyday activities.
At Ophthalmology Associates of the Valley, our award-winning ophthalmologists specialize in diagnosing the underlying causes of chronic dry eye and developing personalized treatment plans that provide lasting relief for patients throughout the San Fernando Valley.
What is Dry Eye Syndrome?
The majority of people will experience dry, irritated eyes at some point, but when discomfort lingers for more than a few days or occurs persistently, you might be dealing with dry eye syndrome.
This incredibly common eye condition occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or when the quality of your tears is insufficient to keep your eyes properly lubricated.
Tears are fundamental to the overall health of your eyes, providing essential moisture, nutrients, and protection against infection. When tear production or quality is compromised, it can cause extreme discomfort and even decreased vision.
Dry eye syndrome is nearly always linked to an underlying condition, and once the root cause is determined, our experienced doctors can dramatically reduce your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Why Choose OAV for Dry Eye Treatment?
At Ophthalmology Associates of the Valley, our award-winning ophthalmologists bring decades of expertise to diagnosing and treating dry eye syndrome throughout the San Fernando Valley. Our comprehensive approach goes beyond simply prescribing eye drops. We investigate the underlying causes of your symptoms to develop personalized treatment plans that provide lasting relief.
With convenient locations in Encino and West Hills, our state-of-the-art facilities offer advanced diagnostic technology to accurately assess your tear production, tear quality, and overall ocular surface health.
Recognizing Dry Eye Symptoms
Dry eye syndrome manifests through a variety of uncomfortable symptoms that can significantly impact your daily activities. Common signs include:
Despite its name, dry eye syndrome can sometimes cause excessive tearing. This occurs when your eyes attempt to compensate for poor tear quality by overproducing watery tears that don’t adequately lubricate the eye surface. These symptoms may be constant or triggered by specific factors such as wind, air conditioning, prolonged screen use, or low humidity environments, frequently interfering with everyday tasks and activities.
What Causes Dry Eye Syndrome?
Understanding the root cause of dry eye is essential for effective treatment. The condition primarily results from inadequate tear production, poor tear quality, or excessive tear evaporation. Tear production involves three critical components working in harmony:
The Lacrimal Glands
The Lacrimal Glands secrete the watery layer of tears
The Meibomian Glands
The Meibomian Glands produce the oily layer that prevents evaporation
The Goblet Cells
The Goblet Cells create mucus that helps spread tears evenly across the eye surface
Dry eye syndrome develops when any of these components becomes unbalanced or dysfunctional. Several different issues can impact each of these components, including hormonal changes, mobile device use, medical conditions like thyroid disorder, and some prescription medications.
Risk Factors for Dry Eye Syndrome
While anyone can develop dry eye syndrome, certain factors increase your likelihood of experiencing this condition:
Age: Individuals over 50 are more susceptible as natural tear production decreases with aging.
Gender: Women face higher risk due to hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy, menopause, and while using oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy.
Diet: Deficiencies in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin A can contribute to poor tear quality.
Previous Eye Surgery: Refractive procedures like LASIK can temporarily or, in rare cases, permanently affect tear production.
Contact Lens Use: Long-term contact lens wear can reduce corneal sensitivity and tear production.
Medical History: Certain systemic conditions and medications increase dry eye risk.
How is Dry Eye Diagnosed?
The best way to know whether or not you might have chronic dry eye syndrome is to visit the experts at OAV for a comprehensive eye exam. In addition to your symptoms, we will discuss past or current conditions to determine any underlying problems that may cause your eye issues.
Your complete eye exam may include measuring the number of tears you generate and reviewing the components of your tears. We will also examine your eyelids, eyes, and corneas using a very small light and magnification lenses.
If one of our expert doctors diagnoses you with dry eye syndrome, they will formulate a customized treatment plan based on what works best for your condition.
Dry Eye Treatment Options
Your individualized dry eye treatment is based on the underlying condition causing your dry eyes. After a comprehensive exam and consultation, we can assess which treatment best suits your needs. Many people with mild dry eye can find relief with prescription or over-the-counter eye drops. These solutions can help increase your actual tears. If your dry eye syndrome is more severe, we can insert tiny plugs into your tear ducts (called punctal occlusion) to block them and keep natural tears in the eye.
Dry Eye vs. Eye Allergies
Many patients confuse dry eye syndrome with eye allergies because the symptoms can overlap significantly. Both conditions cause red, irritated eyes, but understanding the differences is crucial for effective treatment.
Dry Eye Syndrome
Dry Eye Syndrome typically causes a gritty or sandy feeling in the eyes, often worsens throughout the day (especially with screen use), and symptoms persist year-round or in specific environments like air-conditioned spaces.
Eye Allergies
Eye Allergies commonly involve intense itching (which is rare in dry eye), occur seasonally or after exposure to specific allergens, and are often accompanied by other allergy symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, or congestion. Allergies cause histamine release that leads to inflammation and tearing.
Why Professional Evaluation Matters
Because symptoms overlap, self-diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment. Using allergy drops for dry eye, or vice versa, won’t address the underlying problem and may worsen symptoms. Additionally, some patients suffer from both conditions simultaneously, requiring a comprehensive treatment approach.
At Ophthalmology Associates of the Valley, our experienced ophthalmologists perform thorough examinations to accurately differentiate between dry eye syndrome and allergic conjunctivitis. We assess tear quality, evaluate for inflammatory markers specific to each condition, and consider your symptom patterns and triggers. This precise diagnosis ensures you receive the most effective treatment for your specific condition.
If you’re experiencing eye discomfort but aren’t sure of the cause, schedule a comprehensive evaluation at one of our San Fernando Valley locations. Proper diagnosis is the first step toward lasting relief.
Dry Eye Syndrome FAQ
Relieve Your Dry Eye Today
Suffering from dry eye syndrome can significantly diminish your quality of life and, without proper treatment, lead to complications that affect your vision and eye health.
If you’re experiencing chronic dry eye symptoms and have tried over-the-counter solutions without adequate relief, we encourage you to schedule an appointment at one of our San Fernando Valley locations in Los Angeles, California. Our experienced ophthalmologists at Ophthalmology Associates of the Valley will conduct a thorough evaluation to identify the underlying cause of your symptoms and develop a personalized treatment plan that provides lasting relief.