Dry eye disease, also called ocular surface disease, happens when your eyes don’t produce enough good-quality tears. Our team at Foley Vision Center finds the cause and builds a plan that fits your daily life.
Dry eyes can show up in more ways than most people expect. Watery eyes are one of them, because the eyes overproduce tears in response to irritation.
Dry eyes often feel worst after long stretches of reading, computer work, or driving, when blinking slows down. If your eyes are tired or blurry by the end of the day, that’s a good reason to get checked.
Dry eyes often have more than one cause. Identifying the right ones is the first step toward effective treatment.
Tear production tends to decline with age. Hormonal changes during pregnancy, menopause, or from birth control can also play a role.
Antihistamines, decongestants, some blood pressure medicines, and antidepressants can reduce tear production.
Rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, lupus, thyroid disorders, and Sjögren's syndrome can all affect tears.
Wind, smoke, dry air, air conditioning, and long screen sessions that reduce how often you blink.
Blepharitis and oil gland dysfunction can disrupt the tear film and let tears evaporate too quickly.
Long hours in contact lenses, or procedures like LASIK, can temporarily disrupt tear production.
An accurate diagnosis looks at both how much tear film you have and how well it works. Here’s what to expect at your visit.
We ask about your symptoms, medications, health conditions, and daily habits, including how much time you spend on screens.
We check the front of the eye, the eyelids, and the tear film for signs of inflammation or structural issues.
The Schirmer test measures tear quantity. Tear break-up time measures tear stability. Tear osmolarity measures tear quality, or salt concentration.
Special dyes highlight damaged cells on the cornea and conjunctiva, showing how much surface damage is present.
We assess the oil glands that keep tears from evaporating. Blocked glands are a common cause of evaporative dry eye.
Standardized questionnaires like the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) measure how much dry eye affects your daily life.
Most patients improve with a combination of approaches. Your plan depends on the cause and severity of your symptoms.
Over-the-counter drops for everyday relief. Preservative-free options are available for sensitive eyes.
Anti-inflammatory drops can help tear production and reduce inflammation in more persistent cases.
Warm compresses and gentle eyelid cleaning help clear oil glands and improve tear quality.
A humidifier, regular screen breaks, and avoiding direct wind or fans can make a real difference.
Fish oil and flaxseed oil may improve tear quality. Discuss supplements with your doctor first.
Tiny inserts placed in the tear ducts slow drainage, keeping the eyes moist for longer.
Specialized contact lenses, autologous serum eye drops made from your own blood, and intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy are available when standard treatments aren’t enough.
Schedule a dry eye evaluation at Foley Vision Center. Dr. Foley will find the cause and help you get lasting relief.
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9:00am – 6:00pm
9:00am – 6:00pm
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