What Is Dry Eye?

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Dry eye is a common condition that impacts millions. While you may think it only involves having dry eyes, you could also have excess tear production.

If dry eye negatively impacts your life, Nova Vision Center has your solution! Contact us today for dependable dry eye treatment in Falls Church, VA.

In this post, we’ll talk more about dry eye, including common symptoms, risk factors, and more.

Dry Eye: Brief Overview

Dry eye is a common condition that involves problems with the tear film that covers your eye. While normal eyes create an adequate amount of tears, those with this condition don’t produce enough of them—or they produce too much. That said, you can experience excessive dryness, watery eyes, itching, burning, and irritation.

Dry eye is something that doesn’t always have a clear cause. There are numerous risk factors and possible causes to consider. It may take several weeks or longer to determine the root cause of the condition.

Symptoms of Dry Eye

Take a look at the symptoms you can expect with dry eye:

  • Feeling like something is in your eye
  • Dryness
  • Burning sensations
  • Stinging
  • Light sensitivity
  • Itching
  • Changes in vision
  • Excessive tear production
  • Mucus that leaks from your eye

Watery eyes may sound like a strange symptom of dry eye, but it occurs because there’s a problem with your meibomian glands. These glands are unable to produce enough oils for the outer layer of your tear film. This causes the middle, watery layer of your tear film to dry out too fast. As a result, your lacrimal glands overcompensate for this and make more tears, leading to watery eyes.

Dry Eye Risk Factors

The following can increase the chance of experiencing dry eye:

  • Weather
  • Screen time
  • Contact lens use
  • Smoking
  • Allergies
  • Certain medications
  • Some medical conditions
  • Eye surgery

To get the dry eye treatment you need, call Nova Vision Center today. We’ll get you scheduled with the leading eye doctor in Falls Church, VA!

The Different Types of Dry Eye Explained

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Do you have dry eye? If so, you would probably like to know what type you might have…right? Well, your optometrist in Falls Church, VA, will make a diagnosis and explain everything to you. In the meantime, here are the different types of dry eye.

Aqueous Deficient Dry Eye

Aqueous deficient dry eye is when your eyes don’t make enough tears. In the upper outer corner of your eyes is a gland that is supposed to produce tears. It’s called the lacrimal gland. When those glands are not working, you get dry eye.

Evaporative Dry Eye

Evaporative dry eye is when your tears evaporate too quickly. Just like the name suggests. This is caused when the meibomian gland isn’t functioning. It causes the outer oily layer of your tear film to dry out.

Mixed Dry Eye

If you have both aqueous and evaporative dry eye, it’s called mixed dry eye. Just as the name suggests. This is when your tear film is weak, and your eyes don’t produce enough tears.

Medical Conditions Associated with Dry Eye

Several medical conditions can cause these types of dry eye in Falls Church, VA. Let your optometrist know if you have any of the following medical conditions.

  • Diabetes
  • Blepharitis
  • Thyroid eye disease
  • Sjögren’s syndrome

If you have any of these medical conditions, they could be causing your dry eye. Don’t wait to find out!

Do You Need an Optometrist in Falls Church, VA?

Of course, you want to do everything you can to keep your eyes healthy. And we want to help you do that! Please Contact Nova Vision Center today to schedule an exam. We have state-of-the-art equipment, a warm and inviting office, and a friendly team that will make you feel comfortable.

4 Things You Can Do to Prevent Dry Eye This Summer

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Many people experience dry eye in winter, but did you know that dry eye can occur in summer too? Your eye doctor in Falls Church, VA can help. Dry eye can be caused by various conditions, medications, and environmental factors. Knowing how to treat dry eye can improve your eye health and help you avoid discomfort this summer.

1. Use Eye Drops

Over the counter eye drops are very effective at managing dry eye. Use eye drops regularly to treat dry eye. If this doesn’t work, your eye doctor may recommend prescription eye drops. Talk to your eye doctor to learn more.

2. Wear Sunglasses

The sun’s rays can dry your eyes, leaving them irritated and uncomfortable. You can protect your eyes from this problem by wearing sunglasses. If you have a prescription, get prescription sunglasses from your eye doctor.

3. Stay Hydrated

Hydration is important. If you’re not properly hydrated, your eyes might not produce enough tears to keep your eyes comfortable. Summer is a time when it’s hard to stay hydrated. Keep a water bottle present with you when you go out, and be sure to drink enough water even when you’re spending time at home.

4. Protect Your Eyes From Chlorine

Do you enjoy going to the pool in summer? If so, protect your eyes from chlorine. Wear goggles when you’re putting your head underwater.

If these tips don’t work, you may need dry eye treatment in Falls Church, VA. Talk to your eye doctor at Nova Vision Center. Call today to make an appointment.

Plagued by Dry Eye Problems? Nova Vision Center Offers Help

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Dry Eye syndrome is no joke. The redness, itching, burning, and blurred vision that accompany a lack of tears can result in lasting vision problems. At Nova Vision Center in Falls Creek, Va., we have the expertise and the tools to help our patients conquer the problems caused by dry eyes.

Causes of Dry Eyes

Tears are not simply an emotional response. If your tear ducts cannot produce the proper lubrication for your eyes, not only can it be the cause of the itching and burning you feel, but the dryness may also interfere with your vision.

Weather, wind, air conditioning, too much time spent at the computer, and other environmental conditions can contribute to dry eyes. But there may be other physical causes as well. The way to be certain is to schedule an appointment with a trained professional at Nora Vision Center.

Common Symptoms of Dry Eyes

Redness in one or both eyes or sensitivity to light might be the first symptoms you notice. Another common symptom is watery eyes, as odd as that seems, or the appearance of sticky mucous around your eyes. If your eyes feel sandy or gritty, or if you experience difficulty wearing contact lenses, you may have developed abnormal dryness. Trouble seeing while driving at night, blurred vision, and heightened eye fatigue are also common with dry eye syndrome.

Treatments for Dry Eye Syndrome

Dryness is not only uncomfortable, but tear instability — when not enough tears are formed, or they evaporate too quickly — often causes inflammation that can cause lasting damage to the surface of your eyes.

Artificial tears and over-the-counter eye drops are often effective, but it is wise to have a complete evaluation by a vision professional. Controlling the sensitivity may require a lifelong commitment.

Our Nora Vision Center team will help you determine and address the root cause of your discomfort and offer you compassionate, caring, and effective treatment.

Why not call now at 1-703-578-3600 to schedule an assessment?

Diagnosis and Treatment of Dry Eye

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Dry eye disease is a disorder that affects roughly 20 million Americans, says theAmerican Academy of Ophthalmology. Also called dysfunctional tear syndrome, this itchy, irritating condition is caused by inadequate lubrication of the sensitive tissues that cover the eye. Either, your body is not producing enough tears, or the tears are not remaining on the surface of the eye long enough to lubricate it. Fortunately, youreye doctor in Falls Church, VA, has solutions.

How Is Dry Eye Diagnosed?

Your vision specialist may discover dry eye disease during your routine eye exam. If so, they may perform several additional tests to find out why your eyes are drier than normal. This may mean examining the volume of tears your body is producing or testing the quality of tears produced. They may use special, staining eye drops to find patterns on your corneas or examine the composition of your tears to help them better understand what’s happening.

Once you have a diagnosis of dry eye disease, your eye doctor can recommend a simple course of treatment. Usually, this condition is not difficult or invasive to treat.

Treatment Options for Dry Eyes

Prescription or over-the-counter eyedrops may be required to lessen dry eye symptoms. Or, your specialist may prescribe oral medications that stimulate tear production or reduce inflammation in the eyes. Tiny plugs inserted into your tear ducts may help keep tears from draining away too quickly. Tiny inserts that you place in your eyes daily may also be effective. They dissolve beneath the eyelid, acting as a type of artificial tear.

For more help withdry eye disease in Falls Church, VA, call Nova Vision Center to schedule an appointment. Our experienced professionals are happy to sit down with you to discuss treatment options for dry eyes.