Dry eye is a very common disease affecting millions of people worldwide.
Graystone Eye provides treatment for dry eye syndrome, a common condition that causes discomfort, irritation, and blurred vision. Graystone uses advanced diagnostic tools and tailored treatment plans ranging from lifestyle recommendations to in-office therapies. Graystone Eye’s team of experts is dedicated to helping patients find relief and improve their eye health with comprehensive, personalized care aimed at restoring comfort and clarity.
What is Dry Eye Disease?
Dry eye disease is a common eye condition that occurs when there is an issue with any one of the three components of your tears.
Your tears are made up of 3 distinct layers, all of which work together to keep your eyes healthy:
- The oily layer prevents your tears from evaporating too quickly
- The watery layer delivers nutrients to your eyes
- The mucus layer keeps your tear film adhered to the surface of your eyes
Dry Eye Information & Treatment Options
Dry eye is a very common disease affecting millions of people worldwide. This chronic disease can significantly impact your life, sometimes making even the smallest tasks seem difficult. If you have eye pain, blurry vision, and dry or watery eyes, it could be a sign that you have dry eye disease. But don’t worry! With an in-depth exam, our providers can assess your vision and eye health to get you the treatment you need.
Graystone Eye takes a comprehensive approach to evaluating and treating dry eye. As this disease has many causes and there are an increasing number of treatment options available. Initial steps typically begin with lifestyle modifications and a regimen of lubricating and prescription eye drops. Our providers may also suggest lid cleansing and the application of warm compresses. Additional treatments include the use of a nasal inhaler.
Positive results have been experienced with the use of light as a treatment for dry eye disease. To always provide our patients with the best possible care, Graystone Eye offers the intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy at our Hickory location using the OptiLight device by Lumenis.
What are the Two Types of Dry Eye Disease?
Evaporative Dry Eye (EDE)
EDE is the most common type of dry eye disease. This type of dry eye occurs when you lack the proper amount of oil in your tears. When this happens, your tears can evaporate too quickly, drying out your eyes.
In some cases, EDE can be caused by meibomian gland dysfunction, a disorder where the meibomian glands in your eye lids become blocked, limiting the amount of oil being produced for your tears.
Aqueous Tear Deficiency (ATD)
If you suffer from ATD, your eyes lack the aqueous layer in your tears. This means that your eyes aren’t producing enough tears to keep the eye moist, which can lead to irritating and uncomfortable symptoms.
