Dry Eyes Specialist
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Longhorn Eye Care
Adam Hart, M.D.
Ophthalmologist located in Pflugerville, TX
If you feel a persistent scratching in your eye, or you have chronic redness and dryness, you may have an eye condition known as dry eye. At Longhorn Eye Care in Pflugerville, Texas, Dr. Adam Hart offers effective diagnostics and treatment to restore moisture in your eyes and relieve chronic itchiness and irritation. To learn more about available treatments for dry eye, schedule a consultation with Dr. Hart online or by phone.
Dry Eyes Q & A
What is dry eye?
Dry eye is a common condition that occurs because of your body’s inability to produce enough tears to keep your eyes nourished and healthy. You may also experience dry eye symptoms if the tears you do produce aren’t of sufficient quality.
Tears are important for eye health. They provide the nutrients and moisture your eyes need to work properly and see clear, sharp images. Without sufficient tears, your eyes are prone to dryness and other issues common with chronic dry eye.
What are the symptoms of dry eye?
Common symptoms of dry eye include:
- Redness
- Blurry vision
- Increased light sensitivity
- Vision difficulties while driving at night
- Persistent stinging or burning sensations
- Constantly feeling that something is in your eye
Dry eye symptoms can also make it difficult to wear contact lenses comfortably. If it goes untreated, dry eye can result in frequent eye infections and surface damage to your eye that disrupts your vision.
What causes dry eye?
You can experience chronic dry eye symptoms as the result of aging when your natural tear production slows down. Women in menopause are also at increased risk for developing chronic dry eye.
Certain medications can also influence the development of dry eye symptoms, including decongestants and antihistamines.
Other factors influencing dry eye include:
- Medical conditions
- Tear gland damage
- Environmental factors
You may be prone to dry eye if you spend a lot of time on the computer, which can cause you to blink less frequently.
What treatments are available for dry eye?
Dr. Hart performs a comprehensive eye exam and measures both the quality and quantity of tear production. The simple test uses a specialized strip of paper that Dr. Hart places on your eyes to take a sample of your tears.
If symptoms and testing indicate you have dry eye, he can prescribe medications to reduce inflammation and stimulate the natural production of tears.
Dr. Hart can also recommend lifestyle changes to prevent additional dry eye irritation, such as regular use of artificial tears, avoiding environmental irritants like smoke and allergens, and being conscious of how often you blink when using a computer or reading a book.
To learn more about available dry eye treatments, book a consultation at Longhorn Eye Care online or by calling the office.
