Plagued by Dry Eye Problems? Nova Vision Center Offers Help

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

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.