Dry Eye Syndrome in Orland Park, IL

Dry Eye Syndrome (DES) is a common condition that affects millions of Americans daily, including those in Orland Park, IL. The causes of ocular dryness are diverse, ranging from environmental factors and prolonged screen time to underlying health issues like autoimmune disorders. This variety in causes leads to different manifestations of dry eye, such as irritation, burning, and blurred vision. At Pavletic Eye Care in Orland Park, IL, treatment is tailored to each individual's needs, with solutions ranging from artificial tears and prescription medications to advanced therapies, ensuring relief and improved eye comfort. Regular eye exams are crucial to properly diagnose and manage DES for optimal comfort and eye health.

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Signs and symptoms of Dry Eye Syndrome may include:

Gritty or sandy feeling in eyes
Stinging or burning eyes
Red eyes
Watering eyes
Intermittent blur in vision
Increased sensitivity to light
Difficulty wearing contact lenses

Types of Dry Eye:

Decreased Tear Production: This form of dry eye is known as aqueous deficiency. This results in a lack of good quality tears being produced. While this may occur with age, there are also a variety of medical conditions and medications that can lead to a decrease in tear production. Conditions like Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sarcoidosis, Lupus, Sjogren's Syndrome, and ocular allergies have been known to result in aqueous deficiency. Medications including antihistamines, decongestants, hormone replacement therapy, birth control, antidepressants may also play a role.

Increased Tear Evaporation: This form of dry eye is known an Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD). The Meibomian glands are oil glands within your eyelids that provide the oily layer of your tears which is responsible for preventing tear evaporation. These oil glands can become blocked or atrophied if not functioning optimally. With each blink, the glands are stimulated to release oil. Blink rate often becomes decreased when doing activities that require concentration like reading, working on a computer and driving leading to increased tear evaporation. Tear evaporation may also increase in dry or windy conditions, if the eyelids do not properly align allowing for a complete blink, or in certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

Treatment and Management

Possible treatment may include:

Switching to daily disposable contact lenses
Nutritional therapy
Medical treatment including anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive therapy
Eyelid hygiene
Tear replacement drops and ointment

Dry eye syndrome is often a chronic condition and requires long-term treatment and management to keep symptoms at bay. If left untreated, chronic DES can have permanent effects on eye health and vision. Consistent treatment will help to promote your best possible vision and ocular comfort. If you are experiencing any of the above signs or symptoms or have a condition that predisposes you to ocular dryness, schedule your appointment today to learn more about DES and what form of treatments may best suit you.