To have clear, comfortable vision and good overall eye health, your eyes need to produce an appropriate amount and quality of tears.  When your doctor diagnoses you with Dry Eye, that means that your eyes do not produce enough tears or that your tears have the right chemical make up.

Dry Eye can be considered a part of natural aging.  It can also be associated with blinking or eyelid problems, medications like antihistamines, oral contraceptives and antidepressants, a dry climate, wind and dust, general health problems like arthritis or Sjogren's syndrome and chemical or thermal burns to your eyes.

Dry eye, can cause symptoms of irritated, scratchy, dry, uncomfortable or red eyes, a burning sensation or feeling of something foreign in your eyes and blurred vision. It can even cause intense pain and be associated with headaches.  Severe dry eyes may damage eye tissue, scar your cornea (the front covering of your eyes) and impair vision and make contact lens wear difficult.

If you have symptoms of dry eye, see your optometrist for a comprehensive examination. Dry eye cannot be cured, but your optometrist can prescribe treatment so your eyes remain healthy and your vision is unaffected. Some treatments that your optometrist might prescribe include blinking more frequently, increasing humidity at home or work, using artificial tears and using a moisturizing ointment, especially at bedtime. In some cases, small plugs are inserted in the corner of the eyes to slow tear drainage.  Medications have also been able to improve some patient's comfort. Sometimes, surgical closure of the drainage ducts may be recommended.