If you have a scratchy or burning sensation in your eyes, you may be suffering from dry eye syndrome. This condition affects more than 30 million people in the United States and can cause soreness, photosensitivity, redness, and blurry vision depending on its severity. At the Northeastern Eye Institute, our eye doctors can help treat dry eye syndrome regardless of its cause.
There are a number of things that can cause dry eyes, including:
- Allergies
- Dry air
- Pollution
- Age
- Auto-immune disease
- Certain medications for rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, lupus, etc.
However, the most common cause of dry eye syndrome is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD). MGD occurs when the meibomian gland is unable to produce enough oil to coat the aqueous layer of your tear film. This oily coating not only protects the aqueous layer from damage, but also helps maintain moisture. If the meibomian gland gets blocked, the aqueous layer will evaporate too quickly, resulting in constant friction between your cornea and your eyelid.
MGD accounts for more than 85% of all dry eye syndrome cases. When left untreated, MGD can cause long-term vision damage and other chronic issues. As a result, you should get your dry eye syndrome treated as soon as possible. If your dry eye symptoms are caused by MGD, our experienced eye doctors can treat it using LipiFlow, which can restore the proper functioning of your meibomian glands. The session only takes 12 minutes, and the results are noticeable in just 6-8 weeks.
If your dry eye syndrome is caused by other factors, our ophthalmologists can provide you with artificial tears instead. These eye drops help lubricate your eye, alleviating any dryness that may occur due to allergies, pollution, or climate.
Think You Have Dry Eye Syndrome? Meet With One of Our Ophthalmologists Today
If you have any of the symptoms of dry eye syndrome and need some relief, call the Northeastern Eye Institute today at 570-342-3145 to schedule an appointment. Our eye specialists welcome patients living in Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Clarks Summit, Carbondale, and surrounding communities in Northeast Pennsylvania.