At Aldridge Eye Institute, we know that dry eye is more than just a minor inconvenience—it can affect your work, your hobbies, and your quality of life. Whether you’re struggling with the strain of long hours at a computer or seasonal irritation, you don’t have to rely on a constant cycle of temporary eye drops. We specialize in identifying the root cause of your discomfort to provide advanced, long-term solutions that help your eyes feel refreshed and rejuvenate
Dry Eye Disease and Treatment
What Is Dry Eye?
Dry eye syndrome (DES) is a chronic condition that develops when your eyes do not produce and maintain enough tears to keep the eye's surface lubricated. This can be due to a reduction in tear production or increased tear evaporation from a lack of lipid in the tears. The effects can range from minor discomfort to blurred vision and frequent infections.
Common Symptoms:
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A burning, stinging, or scratchy sensation
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Stringy mucus in or around the eyes
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Sensitivity to light
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Eye redness
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A sensation of having something in your eyes
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Difficulty wearing contact lenses
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Watery eyes (the body's response to the irritation of dry eyes)
Causes of Dry Eye Disease
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Aging: It's a natural part of the process, especially for those over 65.
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Gender: Women are more likely to develop dry eyes due to hormonal changes (pregnancy, menopause).
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Medications: Antihistamines, blood pressure meds, and antidepressants can reduce tear production.
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Environment: Dry, windy, or smoky climates, as well as prolonged computer use.
Diagnosis of Dry Eye Disease
Typically, dry eye disease can be diagnosed through a comprehensive eye exam and a description of your symptoms. On some occasions the eye doctor might decide to do a test that measures how quickly your tears evaporate from the surface of your eye. By instilling a simple dye called fluorescein (much like food coloring) the doctor is able to watch and count how long it takes the tears to start to break up after they’ve asked you to hold your eyes open after a blink. This is called TBUT or a Tear Break Up Time test. A low TBUT generally indicates a lipid (aka oil) deficiency in the tears resulting from oil glands in the eyelids not functioning properly. In another type of test, called a Schirmer test, a strip of filter paper is placed under the lid of the eye and you will be asked to close your eye for five minutes. Following the test the amount of moisture on the strip will be measured. Schirmer tests are performed less frequently than a TBUT test.
Our Advanced Solutions
We don't believe in "one-size-fits-all" eye drops. We find the root cause of your discomfort.
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Artificial Tears & Prescriptions: For mild cases, we can recommend the highest quality lubricating drops or prescription medications like Restasis or Xiidra to help your body produce more of its own tears.
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Punctal Plugs: These tiny, comfortable inserts help keep your natural tears on your eye longer by slowing down the drainage process.
Advanced Technology: For patients seeking more permanent relief, we offer cutting-edge treatments like OptiLight by Lumenis, specifically designed to address the inflammation that causes dry eye.