Dry Eye
Dry Eye syndrome is a chronic lack of lubrication to the ocular surface. Irritated, scratchy eyes or fluctuations of vision are the most common signs of dry eye. This can be due to a number of factors including, insufficient tear production, poor tear quality, systemic conditions such as rosacea and sjogren’s syndrome, environmental factors like smoking, low humidity, or computer use, or as a side effect from oral medications.
Therapy for dry eye usually begins with an artificial tear regimen for mild cases. Treatment can grow to include tear ointments, punctual plugs (picture) which keep tears from draining, anti inflammatory eye drops such as restasis (http://www.restasis.com) or any combination there of. Dry eye can be helped by supplements high in omega-3 fatty acids, flaxseed oils, and diets that include cold water fish.
Dry Eye is a medical condition that is covered by most health care insurers. Take our Dry eye questionnaire to see if you may be suffering from dry eye. (link questionnaire)