Understanding Your Treatment Options for Severe Dry Eye

If you feel like clawing your eyes out because they feel dry and itchy, you may have a condition known as severe dry eye. It’s a common medical diagnosis affecting roughly 16 million people in the U.S. For some people, it’s mildly irritating. For others, it can get in the way of daily activities like working and driving.

What is dry eye?

Dry eye is a chronic condition affecting the tear ducts. When the tear ducts don’t produce enough tears to keep the eyes lubricated, the result is burning or itching eyes. Some people also experience watery eyes or blurred vision. You may have trouble wearing contact lenses or working on computer screens.

To diagnose dry eye, you need a comprehensive eye exam. Focus Refined Eye Care in The Heights and Montrose sections of Houston offers diagnostic tests to assess your tear quality, volume, and even the chemical composition of your tears.

You could be at risk if you don’t make enough tears or yours don’t contain enough water.

Risk factors

No one knows the exact cause of severe dry eye syndrome. However, common potential factors for dry eye syndrome include:

Woman over 50
Overly dry environments
Too much screen time
Some medications
Rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases

Three layers of tears

Tears are like a warm winter coat. There’s an outer layer, a middle layer, and an inner layer. These three layers work together to keep your eyes in the right balance of moistness, as each has a different chemical composition.

Dry eye treatment

Many people turn to over-the-counter eye drops for dry eye relief. A humidifier will increase the humidity in the air, which can help prevent your eyes from drying out so quickly. Warm compresses can also ease the burning, gritty feeling. Microwave a wet washcloth for 10-20 seconds and cover your eyes.

If those treatments don’t help, it’s time for the next tier of treatment. Dr. Bimal Patel assesses your eye condition and recommends professional-level treatment.

This may include:

Prescription eye drops
Medication
Eye inserts
Nasal spray
Light therapy

Many treatment options are available, and Dr. Patel works with you to create a personalized treatment plan.

What can you expect

It can take time to find relief from diagnosis to dry eye relief. At Focus Refined Eye Care in Montrose and The Heights sections of Houston, Texas, Dr. Patel and his expert staff assess your condition and make recommendations based on your condition. You can schedule your appointment with our online booking tool.